A Massachusetts family is mourning the loss of a father, husband, brother, and son in Patrick Kenney Jr. Initially, authorities believed his death was the result of foul play. Now, they believe the fatal stabbing was a horrible accident. The knife on the scene was the one Kenney wore around his neck on a lanyard. Kenney’s father, who described his son as a loving father and husband, said his death was a freak accident.
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Authorities initially believed Kenney had been attacked.
Police found Kenney, who lived in Milton, collapsed in the parking lot of the Kowloon restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts, on December 2, WCVB reported. He was pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston shortly after he was injured.
In a joint statement, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli ruled Kenney's death “accidental” with “no additional parties believed to be involved,” according to WCVB.
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Kenney wore the knife on a lanyard.
Multiple sources reported that Kenney was stabbed by something that had been worn around his neck.
He was at the restaurant that evening attending the birthday party of a family friend and had taken a bus to the venue. One investigator told Boston 25 News that it appeared Kenney tripped in the parking lot and somehow cut himself with the knife. Law enforcement confirmed that the incident happened after the party was over and Kenney was walking back to the bus the group of friends rented to take them to Kowloon and back home.
Although the death has been ruled an accident, the investigation is ongoing. The family and investigators are still unsure why he was carrying the knife on a lanyard, NBC Boston reported.
The owners of the restaurant also released a statement.
Kenney and his family visited the Kowloon restaurant often, according to its owner, the Wong family. They released a statement after they learned of his death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. Nothing else matters at this time. We ask that people don’t jump to conclusions until an investigation is completed,” the Wong family wrote, WCVB reported.
This is the second unfortunate incident to happen in two weeks at the restaurant.
A violent brawl took place at Kowloon the day before Thanksgiving. The fight resulted in four people facing charges.
Kenney’s family is asking for privacy as the investigation continues.
“Our family is mourning the loss of Patrick, focused on his wife Lauren and two young children, and trying to make sense of this horrific tragedy," Boston 25 news reported. “Patrick was a loving father and husband, brother, son, and loyal friend to many. This is a horrible tragedy.”
