New info released: Patriots fan’s death could be linked to ‘medical issue’, not stadium fight

The cause of death for a New England Patriots fan involved in a stadium fight remained “undetermined” after “traumatic injury” was ruled out.

On Sunday, 53-year-old Dale Mooney had reportedly taken no less than two blows to the head when a fight broke out at Gillette Stadium as the Miami Dolphins took on the Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts. However, a preliminary autopsy suggested that the sudden death of the husband and father of two may not have been the raucous brawl.

A statement issued Wednesday by the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office addressed the initial findings related to the decedent from Newmarket, New Hampshire and said, “Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue.”

As a result, “Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing.”

With a complete autopsy planned, the spokesman for the DA’s office David Traub said, “We’re still reviewing all of the video and other evidence. We’re still piecing this together, all of the events.”

“If this gives us a clear cause and manner of death, then that’ll be a big piece of the evidence and seeing how it all fits together,” he continued as no arrests had been made and no charges had been filed in connection to Mooney’s death.

As had been reported, game attendee Joseph Kilmartin had witnessed the fight and captured a video later shared with investigators. He had told WCVB that Mooney had been seen in the aisle while others were fighting before getting involved, and had “basically grabbed another fan. They started tussling around for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked over. He punched him three times and the man just went out. It was pretty hard to watch.”

New England Patriots season ticket holder ‘beaten to death’ in home stadium https://t.co/MNYPzBasz9 via @BIZPACReview

— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) September 19, 2023

After first responders had rendered aid, Mooney had been rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead. Lisa Mooney told the outlet that she was unaware of any medical conditions her husband may have had that could have contributed to his death and that, “I can’t even believe this is for real. I don’t understand why people have to go to that extreme. Why can’t it just be fun? That’s all it’s supposed to be, just a fun family event.”

In reaction to the death, one of two medical incidents that had occurred during the Sunday Night Football game that included another man passing out, the New England Patriots issued a statement that read,  “We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-years season ticket member, who died while attending last Sunday night’s Patriots game. We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation. We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”

A crowdfunding page had been established on behalf of the family and at the time of this post had raised over $14,000 toward a $15,000 goal.

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Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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