Patriots fan Dale Mooney may have died as a result of a ‘medical issue’, rather than a traumatic injury, according to authorities.
Mooney, 53, died after being beaten by a Miami Dolphins fan at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Norfolk County District’s attorney’s office said the autopsy did identify a ‘medical issue’ that may have contributed to his death.
DA Michael Morrissey confirmed that the issue was a potential contributor to his death, but the case will require further testing.
He added that the two blows delivered by the Dolphins fan did not cause fatal injuries to Mooney.
Mooney, 53, died after being beaten by a Miami Dolphins fan at the Gillette Stadium on Sunday
Morrissey said: ‘Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Mooney’s collapse during the Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium.
‘Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue. Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing.
‘Our investigation remains open and ongoing. Any eyewitness who has not already been interviewed by police, or anyone in possession of original video of the incident, is asked to contact detectives.’
The exact cause and manner of death are still under investigation, and no criminal charges have been brought.
Legal experts have also warned that charges in the case are likely following the autopsy completion.
It comes after Gillette Stadium released a statement over his death, confirming that they are ‘assisting’ in the investigation.
‘We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member, who died while attending last Sunday night’s Patriots game,’ they said.
‘We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation.
Mooney left behind his two kids and wife Lisa after the altercation at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night
As he shoved his way through, the brawl broke out as Mooney’s Patriots hat fell off just before he was smacked in the temple and collapsed to the ground
‘We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.’
Mooney’s wife, Lisa, said that her husband was a lifelong fan of the Patriots who had been a season ticket holder for 30 years.
The father-of-two has been described as having the ‘patience of a saint’, who once risked his own life to save a child caught between the rocks near a jetty on Hampton Beach.
Mooney, who was 39 at the time of the incident in 2009, rushed to help the girl who had been trying to free her boogie board from the rocks, according to Seacoastonline.
‘The waves were slamming over her and she couldn’t even stay on her feet,’ Mooney told the outlet. ‘She kept falling in between the rocks, trying to keep her head above water, we were both pretty scared at that point.’
Friends of Mooney claim that the Dolphins fans ‘verbally taunted’ him before the fight broke out, with one punching him I the head.
In the video, he is seen inserting himself into the crowd of people as some tried to break it up and others distanced themselves.
Police and fire personnel responded to the incident at around 10.57pm, with Mooney rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was pronounced dead.
His distraught wife Lisa told WCVB: ‘Numb. I just feel numb. I just can’t even believe this is for real. It takes a lot to get him mad, and he has the patience of a saint. I just don’t understand what happened.’
The DA’s office reported police and fire personnel responded to the section where Mooney was in need of medical attention around 10.57pm
Mooney had attended the game with three of his friends on Sunday night, with first responders performing CPR
Videos from the Foxborough arena show security trying to break up a scuffle, and medics administering CPR a short time afterwards as worried fans watched on
Mooney had attended the game with three of his friends on Sunday night, with first responders performing CPR.
One witness, Joey Kilmartin told the Boston Globe that Mooney had been verbally sparring for most of the game.
Mooney reportedly went over to confront the Dolphins fan during the fourth quarter of the game, and was punched in the head twice.
‘In a nutshell, it was a basic argument back and forth,’ Kilmartin said. ‘He went over to Section 311 and he basically engaged in mutual combat with another fan.
‘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.’