Nancy Kerrigan vows to help brother "fight" homicide ruling

From The Associated Press today:

BOSTON (AP) -- Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan said Thursday that she and her family plan to help her brother fight a state medical examiner's finding that her father's death last month was a homicide after a fight.

Daniel Kerrigan, 70, died Jan. 24 after what authorities said was a struggle with his son, Mark, 45, who was charged with assault.

In a letter released Thursday, Nancy Kerrigan thanked friends and fans for their support and says the weeks since her father's death have been ''a sad moment for us all.''

''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,'' Kerrigan wrote in the letter.

Kerrigan released the letter the day before she is scheduled to begin work as a commentator on the Winter Olympics for ''Entertainment Tonight'' and ''The Insider,'' as she did during the 2006 games.

Read complete article here. This story just gets sadder and sadder.

UPDATE: Just watched exclusive Nancy Kerrigan interview on CBS' The Insider and Entertainment Tonight. I guess she agreed to the interview as she will heading off to Vancouver to be a special correspondent for the two shows. She was very teary and who can blame her? She did confirm that the family was standing by Mark and when asked why, she said that her mother was there, she was in the house and saw everything. So maybe Mrs. Kerrigan knows something about the fight that allegedly led to her husband's death. Nancy's on The Insider and Entertainment Tonight again tomorrow -- I'll be glued to the set.

Death of Nancy Kerrigan's father ruled a homicide

More devastating news for Olympic silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan and her family after the death of her father Daniel Kerrigan, 70, who died on January 24. Daniel Kerrigan was known as a doting husband and father and the world was shocked when Nancy's brother Mark was arrested in connection with the death. Yesterday, the Massachusetts medical examiner's office released the autopsy report which stated that Mr. Kerrigan died of a heart rhythm problem after a fight with Mark, in which he suffered a neck injury so severe it damaged his windpipe. There are allegations that Mark had his hands around his father's neck during the altercation. Mark is still in police custody and is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation. The family has disputed the medical examiner's findings and released a statement: "We believe this finding to be premature and inaccurate. The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition."

Nancy Kerrigan deals with loss of her father and arrest of brother

UPDATE THURSDAY: Lifeskate's footage of Nancy was featured this evening on The Insider nationally syndicated television show. Click below to see the full interview with Nancy.

By now I'm sure you've read that Nancy Kerrigan, two-time Olympic medalist and heroine from the Nancy-Tonya saga, is dealing with the tragic death of her father Daniel, 70, and subsequent arrest of her   brother Mark in the death. Details are still surfacing but it appears that on Monday, father and son were fighting over use of the telephone and the son grabbed the father's neck and a fight may have ensued. The father has now died and Brenda Kerrigan has told the police that her husband suffered a massive heart attack. I don't know if she's protecting her son but police have arrested Mark Kerrigan, 45, who they said appeared drunk and was belligerent. Mark has led a troubled life and the latest on this case is that he has been sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental evaluation. Read complete story here. (Photo at right, Nancy opens rink at Bryant Park, NYC in October 2008)

I had a chance to interview Nancy in October 2008 when she was the honoree at Ice Theatre of New York's annual gala. When I heard the news of her family's tragedy, I immediately thought of that interview because she was very family-centric, and it came through in obvious and subtle ways too. When she gave her speech, she reminded everyone that she was never on the podium by herself because there was always a team of supporters surrounding her to make sure that she was skating to the best of her abilities. On a subtle level, off camera I mentioned that she must have her hands full with three children and she laughed and said she used her parents when she could because she was not a firm believer in nannies and outside help unless it was really necessary. And she mentioned how great and supportive her parents were and we kind of got off on this tangent about parents. But it was a natural conversation in that she really loved her parents and when you really love something/someone, it's easy to talk about it.

[UPDATE 01/28: Daniel Kerrigan's funeral was held today at St. Patrick's Church in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Full story here.]

Here's our interview and at 6:25, Nancy talks about family:

Our story about the Ice Theatre of New York gala honoring Nancy is below:

Nancy Kerrigan on family, being a television commentator and her skating life

I had a great one-on-one interview with Nancy Kerrigan (see right) at Ice Theatre of New York's 2008 benefit gala. Nancy is a two-time Olympic medalist (1992 and 1994), commentator for icenetwork, producer, entertainer, mother to three young children (her daughter Nicole was born about six months ago) and wife to sports agent Jerry Solomon, and with all that, she told me they don't use nannies or any outside help! Occasionally, her parents and cousins help out, but Nancy and Jerry make sure to be involved parents.

I really enjoyed talking to her about a variety of topics, from family, to her favorite skating memories, to being a skating analyst, and many more. I don't know where people get their impressions from, but prior to the interview, I had read that she was not very chatty, was uncomfortable talking on camera, frosty...huh? Are we talking about the same person? There was not a hint of any of that from what I saw. She came across as truly the "girl next door," very approachable and kind of chatty. And laughed easily. I noticed that the most -- with me and with others who surrounded her at the gala. I hope you'll agree after seeing the video!

**CLICK HERE TO WATCH ICE THEATRE GALA HONORING NANCY KERRIGAN!**

Nancy Kerrigan and Ice Theatre of New York celebrate new season

What a wonderful time I had last month at Ice Theatre of New York's annual gala! I got to watch a terrific show, replete with performances from the Ice Theatre ensemble, special guest skaters Surya Bonaly and Derrick Delmore, and even honoree Nancy Kerrigan took part in the finale number, Footloose on Ice. Nancy starred in the show back in 2001 and has said it was her favorite show to be in, so it was really fun to watch her having so much fun.

After the performances, which included Appalachia Waltz, Low Duet and Skater's Swingtime Waltz, guests mingled with Nancy, Surya, Derrick, Paul Wylie (1992 Olympic silver medalist and Nancy's great friend) who was the emcee for the event, the Ice Theatre ensemble, and many others. There was also a silent auction to raise money for Ice Theatre's 2008-2009 season as well as their free skating clinics for public school students in Harlem and Washington Heights. (I later found out that the gala raised approximately $100,000 for their upcoming season and educational outreach programs -- hooray!) In addition, during the dinner and awards ceremony, long time board member Joan Erdheim received the Ice Angel Award for all her work in promoting Ice Theatre and the arts in New York City.

We also watched a wonderful retrospective of Nancy's professional and personal life to date, including being wife and mother to three(!) young children. It was a trip down memory lane for all in the audience and I was reminded of how incredibly difficult it is to be a two-time Olympic medalist. (And I'm not even going to get into the Nancy-Tonya fiasco because the evening was all about the positive aspects of skating and how one person can continue to make a great impact, so let's leave it at that.)

All in all, a great night for Ice Theatre of New York and I'm already looking forward to next year's gala!

**CLICK HERE TO SEE MY EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH NANCY!**

Paul Wylie, Nancy Kerrigan and Moira North, founder and artistic director of Ice Theatre of New York:

Nancy Kerrigan greets children during reception:

Surya Bonaly, three-time Olympian, with Douglas Webster, ensemble director of Ice Theatre of New York: