Stamford Residents Show Support For Shippan Ave. Survivor

Stamford residents previously unaware of Shippan Ave. fire tragedy survivor Madonna Badger's reported attempt to take her own life last week are utterly shocked by the news, but remain supportive.

"It's awful, just awful," one Shippan Ave. resident said. 

"I feel for her, absolutely," said Scott, a resident of the Cove region. While Scott stated that he is more than sympathetic to Badger, he felt that taking one's own life wasn't a solution, either.

"I wouldn't go to that extreme," Scott said.

A lengthy investigation into precisely what caused the fatal fire at 2267 Shippan Ave. that claimed the lives of Badger's three girls as well as her parents is ongoing. In the days following the fire, verifying that the home had proper smoke detection systems, or possible lack-thereof, was a focus for investigators.

"We can't comment until we finish our investigation," detective Lt. Hohn said, though SPD could confirm that a suicide attempt did occur.  Similarly, Badger's legal representation would not speak on their client's status, stating that "this was not the right time" to do so.

However, Madonna Badger's legion of supporters, as evidenced by the large following of Facebook's Support Madonna Badger Group, have been very vocal in their support of Madonna Badger. The group already had several hundred members when Patch commenter Paige Bludhorn users to group in the day following the Shippan Ave. tragedy, and its membership has since swelled to well over 3,700. The group's activity has spiked since Wednesday, with most users offering either prayers or understanding:

"Madonna, I do not know you; nor will I most likely ever meet you, but I know that we all have our breaking points," Debbie Swafford-Sirosky posts.

Among this group, one member even offered what may be welcome business to Badger, who is famous as a fashion executive for Vera Wang:

"A possible project idea for you to consider when the time may be right: A fashion industry collective/consortium non-profit foundation of both donated (and perhaps specifically manufactured) girl's clothing to be distributed globally to low-income, disadvantaged, displaced and refugee girls," Cynthia Seymour writes.

The impact of the Shippan Ave., fire tragedy is still felt among Stamford Fire and Rescue, but has stated that healing the department in the wake of the fire tragedy at Shippan Ave. will be his immediate goal in the now-likely scenario that Conte becomes permanent chief.

Regardless of personal opinions concerning suicide, local and online sympathies remain, overwhelmingly, with Madonna Badger.

"She probably feels a sense of responsibility," Scott said.