Nancy Kerrigan Defends Brother in Father's Death

Former Olympian Nancy Kerrigan is speaking out for the first time since the death of her father Daniel. Her brother Mark is being charged, and she's not happy.

Kerrigan called her late father "her safety net'' and does not believe her brother should face criminal charges for his alleged role in 70-year-old Daniel's death.

"He was someone who took an interest in everyone that he came in contact with and, if he knew you much at all, had an endearing wisecrack that would be sure to make you laugh,'' she said of her father. "For me, he was my safety net."

In a letter, released by her spokeswoman, Kerrigan said her family supports her brother, Mark Kerrigan, whom authorities allege fought with their father inside their Stoneham, Mass., home last month, possibly contributing to his father's death.

On Tuesday, Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr.'s office said the medical examiner's office had concluded Daniel Kerrigan's death was a homicide resulting directly from a fight with the son coupled with a pre-existing cardiac condition.

Leone has not decided whether to upgrade charges against the son, who has pleaded not guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charges.

But Nancy Kerrigan made her views clear.

"It has been a sad moment for us all,'' Kerrigan wrote. "And it isn't over yet, particularly with the ruling this week about the cause of my dad's death; a ruling by the way which we think was unjustified and which we plan to help my brother fight.''

Separately, Mark Kerrigan's defense attorney said that Daniel Kerrigan's death may turn out to be an accident that would not merit a criminal charge at all.

Mark Kerrigan, who has mental health issues, has also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to Army service, his attorney said in court.

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Death of Daniel Kerrigan Ruled a Homicide

Nancy Kerrigan's father's death late last month has been ruled a homicide, according to the Middlesex County (Mass.) Chief Medical Examiner.

According to the findings, Daniel Kerrigan died from cardiac dysrhythmia after suffering a neck injury during a physical altercation at his home.

The Coroner reports that the 70-year-old Daniel suffered a cartilage fracture to the larynx area, which was exacerbated by heart disease.

As we previously reported, Nancy's brother Mark Kerrigan faces one charge of assault and battery on an elder with serious bodily injury.

Nancy Kerrigan won medals in figure skating at the '92 and '94 Olympics/

The investigation continues, with no word on whether prosecutors will now up the charges against Mark, but the family is displeased with the coroner's report.

The family lawyer, Tracy Miner, says "The Kerrigan family is extremely disappointed that the medical examiner would release a cause of death without having all of the relevant facts. We believe this finding to be premature and inaccurate."

The Kerrigans are also standing by Mark Kerrigan - who was arrested and charged with assault and battery after - saying, "The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition."

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Tonya Harding Offers Support to Nancy Kerrigan

Some of you may not recall the infamous run-up to the 1994 Olympics, during which Tonya Harding's ex-husband hired a hit man to club her chief figure skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan, in the knee to better Tonya's odds at the U.S. trials.

Well, that happened. So we can't exactly say we were expecting Harding of all people to speak out and offer Kerrigan sympathy in the aftermath of her father's death.

Daniel Kerrigan died at the age of 70. Nancy's 45-year-old brother, Mark Kerrigan, was arrested for assault and battery on an elder resulting in serious bodily injury.

Despite their adversarial past, Tonya Harding offered support to Nancy.

Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding go way back. Not in a good way.

"Tonya feels very sad for Nancy and her family and extends her deepest sympathy and condolences to them," her rep said in a statement to The Insider.

"Tonya's beloved dad, Al Harding, passed away this past April, so she understands the grief Nancy and her family are feeling at this difficult time."

We wouldn't hold our breath waiting for a reply if we were her, but that classy statement to her skating counterpart does accomplish this much:

It was less insane than when Tonya took on Barack Obama. Goodness.

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