Matt Hunt Remembered For His Humor And Kindness

Sable Stevens and Matthew Hunt were finishing their website exploring the lore of Fairfield Hills' old psychiatric hospital when Matthew died last week. --Bee file photo

Several Newtown High School students and faculty remembered 18-year-old Matthew Hunt, who died unexpectedly last week, as a good-humored young man with a big heart.

"He was very kind and sensitive," said Principal William Manfredonia, noting the tragedy of losing a teenager just crossing into the threshold of adult life.

Matthew's girlfriend of two years, Sable Stevens, thanked friends for their support. "I met him during my freshman year [at Newtown High School]," she remembered, tears gathering in her eyes. Her voice was gentle as she continued, "He was different from any other guy I had ever met."

Matthew, she said, was kind to everyone he met, never judgmental of their appearance or family background.

"He treated me so well!" she said.

One friend added that knowing Matthew and Sable allowed her to know what "true love" was. "They were made for each other," she said.

Matthew's love of photography and computers inspired her own interest in graphic design, she added.

Last July, The Newtown Bee profiled Matthew and Sable's independent study project designing a website on the history of Fairfield Hills' psychiatric hospital.

"Matt was always fascinated by old buildings and ancient artifacts," said Sable. The two had spent hours touring the grounds and learning about its history, chronicling their research with scores of photographs.

The two were strong advocates of preserving at least a portion of Fairfield Hills as a historical landmark.

The website was near completion when Matthew died.

Mr Manfredonia said he intends to help Sable finish the site in honor of Matthew.

"We can have someone who is very knowledgeable in computers finish it," he offered.

After thanking students for coming to talk about their memories of Matthew, Mr Manfredonia said, in closing, "I know Matthew meant a lot to all of you. Know that all of you also meant a lot to him."

Newtown Police Detective Sergeant Robert Tvardzik said Tuesday that police are investigating Matthew Hunt's death as an "untimely death." His body was found in his home on February 4.

"It didn't appear to be accidental...It didn't appear to be foul play," Det Sgt Tvardzik said.

Following Matthew's death, an autopsy was performed at the Chief State Medical Examiner's facility in Farmington. Det Sgt Tvardzik said police are awaiting the results of toxicology tests from the medical examiner.

A spokeswoman for medical examiner's office said February 10 that the results of the autopsy are pending. The toxicology test results should be available sometime during the second half of March, she said.