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Teen Dating Violence in Connecticut: The Death of Sophie Ringquist
In May 2023, an incident rocked the small town of Burlington, Connecticut, leading to the death of 17-year-old Sophie Ringquist. Over a year later, in July 2024, her 19-year-old boyfriend Cooper Ouellette was charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with her death. This case has brought attention to issues of underage drinking, domestic violence, and the devastating consequences that can result.
The Victim and the Accused
Sophie Ringquist was a 17-year-old junior at Lewis Mills High School in Burlington, Connecticut. Described as a passionate young woman, Sophie was on track to graduate a semester early and had plans to study construction management in college. Her obituary painted a picture of a loving, hardworking, and compassionate young woman with a talent for writing.
Cooper Ouellette, 19 at the time of his arrest, was Sophie’s on-again, off-again boyfriend. He surrendered to Connecticut State Police on July 12, 2024, over a year after the incident that led to Sophie’s death.
