Nancy Kerrigan's Dad Dies, Bro Mark Kerrigan Charged With Assault

by Yuliya Talmazan | January 25, 2010 at 09:14 am

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Mark Kerrigan, the brother of former U.S. figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, was charged with assault in connection to the death of their father Daniel Kerrigan. Seventy-year-old Daniel Kerrigan was found unresponsive in their home in Stoneham, Massachusetts on Sunday. He later died at Winchester Hospital. Nancy Kerrigan's 45-year-old brother Mark Kerrigan was charged with assault and battery in connection with his father's death. He will be arraigned in court today. It is alleged that Mark Kerrigan caused his father injuries following a dispute. Daniel Kerrigan is survived by his two other children and wife Brenda. Kerrigan's wife insists Daniel Kerrigan died of heart attack.

A five-page police report of the alleged assault at the Kerrigan Cedar Avenue home in Stoneham states both father and son were yelling and pushing “back and forth” until the elder Kerrigan fell over.

The police report states Brenda Kerrigan told police the two men were battling until her husband fell. Police also report Mark Kerrigan put his “hands around his father’s neck” and he said he thought his dad was “faking it” when he fell to the floor.

Mark Kerrigan had to be subdued with pepper spray, the police report states. He also appeared intoxicated, the report adds.

Forty-year-old Nany Kerrigan is a two-time Olympic medalist. She received a silver medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer and a bronze medal during the 1992 Games in Albertville. Kerrigan was always trailing fellow American skaters Tonya Harding and Kritsti Yamaguchi. But, Kerrigan picked up the pace and was a big promise heading into the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. She suffered a freak attack at the U.S. Championships in January of 1994, weeks before the Olympics. Kerrigan was attacked and hit in the knee with a baton. The attack was intentional and masterminded by the ex-husband and friend of fellow skater Tonya Harding. Kerrigan's famous cries "Why, why?" as she was being helped by the doctors were captured by ESPN and other sports networks. The incident made Kerrigan an emotional favourite, and she still received a placement on the U.S. Olympic team. She came in second at the Games the following month.