FOXBORO, Mass. – Gillette Stadium officials said Tuesday they were “heartbroken” to learn of the death of a New Hampshire father who died after an “incident” in the stands during Sunday night’s New England Patriots-Miami Dolphins game in Foxboro .
“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fan and 30-year season ticket member, who died while attending a Patriots game last Sunday,” Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement. “We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to Dale’s family and all who mourn his loss.
Authorities are investigating the death of Mooney, a 53-year-old married father of two who lived in Newmarket, New Hampshire.
Mooney suffered an “apparent medical incident” in the 308/309 section of the stadium during the fourth quarter of the game around 11 p.m., according to Massachusetts State Police. He was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was pronounced dead just before midnight.
Mooney’s wife, Lisa, told Boston 25 News that her husband was a lifelong Patriots fan, having been a season ticket holder for 30 years. She also described him as a “good dad” to their two grown sons.
Lisa Mooney says her husband traveled to Foxborough from their home to attend the Patriots-Dolphins game with friends. She says she was told her husband was taunted by several Dolphins fans during the game, leading to an alleged physical altercation in the 300s section of the stadium.
Video sent to Boston 25 News shows stadium security moving in to break up the apparent fight before Mooney was knocked unconscious.
“It looked like people grabbing and pulling each other, first at some point the guy in the Dolphins jersey punched the victim twice in the face and that’s when the victim was knocked unconscious,” said witness Joey Kilmartin.
Kilmartin saw the commotion taking place four rows behind him and shared it with investigators as soon as it happened.
“The guy in the Dolphins jersey was pulled away by the police and that’s when everybody noticed something was wrong, about a minute later the guy still didn’t make any movement, it didn’t really look like he was breathing,” Kilmartin said.
Lisa says she believes the footage captured at Gillette will prove her husband didn’t throw a single punch.
Sources told Boston 25 News that investigators are now awaiting the medical examiner’s findings to help determine if that confrontation played a role in Mooney’s death.
The DA’s office said no charges are pending at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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