Kerrigan family disputes autopsy report on father

BOSTON — The family of Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan insisted Tuesday that they do “not blame anyone” for her father’s death and criticized a medical examiner’s finding that Daniel Kerrigan died of a heart rhythm problem after a fight with his son.

Daniel Kerrigan’s death was ruled a homicide by a state medical examiner.

The findings could prompt new charges against Nancy Kerrigan’s brother, Mark, 45, who has pleaded not guilty to assault and battery on an elderly person and is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said Tuesday that an autopsy determined the cause of death was “cardiac dysrhythmia” after a physical altercation with neck compression that damaged Kerrigan’s windpipe. The findings also noted that Kerrigan, 70, had high blood pressure and clogged heart arteries.

Several hours later, Kerrigan’s family issued a statement through their attorney, Tracey Miner, calling the findings both “premature and inaccurate.”

“The Kerrigan family is extremely disappointed that the medical examiner would release a cause of death without having all of the relevant facts,” Miner said in the statement.

“The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition.”

The statement did not give details on Kerrigan’s heart condition, nor did it elaborate on what facts the medical examiner might not have had. Miner did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Daniel Kerrigan died Jan. 24 after what authorities said was a struggle with his son.

Police say Mark Kerrigan told them he put his hands around his father’s neck and his father fell to the floor after the two argued at their Stoneham home.

Family members had initially said Daniel Kerrigan had a heart attack and his death was unrelated to the argument.

“As a result of these conclusions of the medical examiner, the investigation into Daniel Kerrigan’s death, and whether any charges in connection with his death are appropriate, remains ongoing,” Leone said in a statement.

The findings imply a strangulation-type injury in a man already vulnerable to heart problems, said an expert not connected with the autopsy, Dr. Ian Paul, associate medical examiner for the state of New Mexico.