Worcester District Attorney calls for independent investigation into death of state police recruit following boxing training incident

The Worcester County District Attorney announced that his office will not take over the investigation into the death of Massachusetts State Police recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia due to a conflict of interest.

“Enrique Delgado Garcia was loved by everyone in our office; he is a dedicated victim and witness advocate who came to our office and was with us for about a year and a half before leaving our office in April to fulfill a lifelong dream and join the Massachusetts State Police,” Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said at a news conference Monday. “Because of that close relationship, there is no way this office can handle this matter.”

Delgado-Garcia, 25, died Thursday from complications of a “medical crisis” he suffered during a boxing practice session at New Braintree Academy. The recruit was taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead Friday.

Early said state police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office began investigating the incident Thursday and will continue to investigate “just as they would any other case” as the agency seeks an independent investigation.

The prosecutor declined to speculate on who would take over the investigation, saying he spoke to several people on Friday about the transfer. But he said he did not believe another prosecutor's office would be “appropriate.”

Meanwhile, Early expressed his confidence in the police officers investigating the incident.

“I'm sure they will continue professionally,” Early said. “You can't just stop an investigation. Some things have to be time-sensitive. They have to continue. But whoever takes over this matter will have the opportunity to review everything from top to bottom, bring in outside counsel and do what they think is necessary.”

Asked about reports that Delgado-Garcia's body showed signs of trauma, including knocked-out teeth, Early reiterated that an autopsy had been conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but the results were not yet in. The prosecutor declined to speculate on whether Delgado-Garcia's death might have resulted from criminal activity.

“Whoever hands this case over to us will be able to look into it, and they have to be able to do a thorough and comprehensive investigation,” Early said. “And again, it has to be someone who has no interest in the outcome.”

The incident actually occurred in the boxing ring, Early said, and was recorded on video.