Patriots fan Dale Mooney died from ‘medical issue’: autopsy

The Patriots fan who died after being sucker-punched during a New England game last weekend did not suffer a “traumatic injury” but instead had a “medical issue,” authorities revealed Wednesday.

Dale Mooney, 53, collapsed and later died after being punched at least twice in the head during a caught-on-camera melee at a Patriots-Miami Dolphins game at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts Sunday night.

“Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue,” the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Wednesday.

Mooney’s exact cause and manner of death is still undetermined, the DA’s office said, adding further testing was needed.

The DA’s office did not elaborate on Mooney’s medical issue.

Authorities have been probing Mooney’s death after cops and safety personnel responded to the upper deck of the stadium just before 11 p.m. Sunday to find him “in apparent need of medical attention,” the DA’s office said.

A witness told local media outlets that he saw Mooney get into a physical confrontation with a group of other men before the Dolphins fan walked over and slugged him.

“He basically engaged in mutual combat with another fan,” Joey Kilmartin told the Boston Globe, adding that others tried to separate them.

“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.”

Video shot by a bystander showed the 6-foot-3 Mooney being hit in the temple before going down.

Mooney was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Authorities have been reviewing “multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle” amid their investigation and have asked for any witnesses who haven’t yet been interviewed to come forward, the DA’s office said.

They haven’t disclosed if any charges are likely in the wake of Mooney’s death.
The fan who launched the blow also hasn’t been identified publicly.

Meanwhile, Mooney’s wife, Lisa Mooney, who noted her husband had been a Patriots season ticket holder for 30 years, said she was numb and was demanding answers about how he died.

“I just can’t even believe this is for real,” she told WCVB-TV. “I want to know what happened. What caused this?”

Gillette Stadium officials said they were “heartbroken” by Mooney’s death, who they described as a lifelong fan.

“We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation,” their statement said.

“We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dale’s family and to all those who are mourning his loss.”

With Post wires