Patriots fan who died at game had medical issue, DAs office says
A fan who died after an altercation at Sunday night’s New England Patriots game did not suffer a “traumatic injury,” though findings from a preliminary autopsy revealed the man to have an unspecified “medical issue,” according to the Norfolk County (Mass.) district attorney’s office.
“Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Dale Mooney’s collapse during the Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement. “Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue.”
Mooney was described by a witness as involved in an altercation shortly before his death, which followed the Patriots’ game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass. His cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
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The 53-year-old New Hampshire resident was reportedly watching the game with friends while in an upper tier of the stadium when he collapsed. Emergency medical personnel responded to the incident, per reports, shortly before 11 p.m., when the game was in the fourth quarter.
A witness who spoke with the Boston Globe said a confrontation between Patriots and Dolphins fans near Mooney’s section resulted in him approaching the rival group.
“[Mooney] went over to Section 311 and he basically engaged in mutual combat with another fan,” the witness, Joseph Kilmartin, told the Globe. “A lot of people started trying to pull them apart. … It looked like somebody was in the middle of them, and then a man in the Dolphins jersey reached over and he connected with two punches to the victim’s head. It wasn’t something crazy or out of the ordinary until, 30 seconds later, the guy wasn’t getting up.”
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Kilmartin told the newspaper that he provided police with video he took of the incident. He said police led away the Dolphins fan involved.
“The man just went out,” Kilmartin said to Boston station WCVB of Mooney’s condition in the aftermath of the altercation. “It was pretty hard to watch.”
The Norfolk County district attorney’s office said Monday it was overseeing the state police probe into the incident. No charges have been filed.
Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement Tuesday that they were “heartbroken” to learn of the death of Mooney, who was described as a 30-year season ticket holder.
“We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation,” the statement said. “We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”
“I want to know what happened,” Mooney’s wife told WCVB. “What caused this?”
“I just don’t understand why people have to go to that extreme,” Lisa Mooney added. “Why can’t it just be fun? That’s all it’s supposed to be, a fun family event. … I just feel numb. I just can’t even believe this is for real.”
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