Nancy Kerrigan's Father's Death Ruled a Homicide....Family Disagrees

Three weeks after Nancy's Kerrigan's 70 year old father died after a struggle with his son, medical examiners have ruled the cause of death a homicide. The family calls the ruling "premature and inaccurate." They believe Daniel Kerrigan died from chronic underlying heart problems unrelated to the argument.

Daniel Kerrigan suffered a fatal heart attack on January 24^th after struggle with his 45 year old son, Mark. Daniel Kerrigan and his legally blind wife Brenda had been dealing with their son's problems for many years.

Mark Kerrigan, the brother of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, had a long history of emotional problems and drug and alcohol abuse. After a stint in the military, those close to him said he suffered Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome. He had attempted suicide and said wanted to die by the method called "suicide by cop."

When he drank alcohol he became abusive and violent, especially toward his ex wife. He had recently served a 2 year jail term for domestic battery and had moved in with his parents following his release. The parents had a long history of paying his bills and bailing him out of jail.

Mark Kerrigan, age 45, was arrested in the early hours of January 24^th. Police responding to a call from Brenda Kerrigan (Daniel's wife and Mark's mother) found 70 year old Daniel unconscious on the kitchen floor of his Stoneham, Massachusetts home. He was surrounded by a pool of blood and broken glass.

According to court records, Mark Kerrigan told police he had been arguing with his father and grabbed him around the throat. He thought his father was faking his injuries. The younger Kerrigan was belligerent and resisted arrest. He had to be pepper sprayed and subdued. Police found an opened bottle of scotch nearby.

The younger Kerrigan was charged with assault on an elderly person and held at Bridgewater State Hospital for mental observation. He was jailed for assault pending autopsy results on his father's body. He has pleaded not guilty.

Autopsy findings results released this week say that 70 year old Daniel Kerrigan, although he suffered from some chronic heart problems, died from cardiac arrest after suffering a compression neck injury. The injury was so severe, that it broke his voice box. As a result of the blunt trauma to the neck, the cause of death was ruled a homicide. Charges against Mark Kerrigan could be upgraded to murder.

The Kerrigan family says it does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of their husband and father. They are extremely disappointed with the autopsy findings.

Sources:

Boston Globe

Milford Daily News

boston.com