Daniel Kerrigan, father of Olympic ice skater Nancy Kerrigan, died on Sunday, January 24. And after some investigating, the death is being treated as a homicide.
A statement from the office of DA Gerry Leone said, in part:
“The Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was cardiac dysrhytmia following a physical altercation with neck compression causing injury to the neck in the form of a cartilage fracture to the larynx area, in a person with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular heart disease.”
Daniel Kerrigan, 70, was found unresponsive at his Stoneham, Mass., after a violent struggle with his son, Mark Kerrigan, 45.
Mark Kerrigan was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on an elderly person and causing serious bodily injury. And in the police report filed in court, it reads that the son attacked his father during an argument about whether he could use the phone.
Kerrigan pleaded not guilty to a felony assault charge after allegedly telling police that he place his hands on his father’s neck during an altercation with him Jan. 24. New charges could be filed against Kerrigan based on the findings.
Family attorney Tracy Miner said in a statement:
“The Kerrigan family is extremely disappointed that the medical examiner would release a cause of death without having all of the relevant facts. We believe this finding to be premature and inaccurate. The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition.”
The funeral of Daniel Kerrigan took place Jan. 28.