Kerrigan Death Sparks Web Interest
01-26-2010, 07:50 AM
Nancy Kerrigan, the Olympic skater who famously found herself the target of a hired attacker in 1994, lost her father this weekend. Daniel Kerrigan was 70.
Unfortunately, that's just where the heartbreak begins. On Monday, Mark Kerrigan, Nancy's brother and Daniel's son, was charged with assaulting his father. Authorities are claiming there was a "violent struggle" at the family home in the Boston suburb of Stoneham.
The same day, Mark Kerrigan pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have said they will now await the result of an autopsy before deciding whether to pursue further charges against Mr. Kerrigan, who is being held on $10,000 bail. His attorney, Denise Moore, argued unsuccessfully that he should be released without bail, saying that Mark "is extremely distraught over the death of his father and denies any responsibility."
The Kerrigans are no strangers to sorrow. In 1994, Nancy, then a favorite for Olympic gold in figure skating, was attacked while practicing for the U.S. figure skating championships in Detroit. It was discovered that her rival, Tonya Harding, had a connection to the attacker. Ms. Harding, her ex-husband, and a friend were all implicated in the attack and attempts to cover it up. Harding avoided prosecution and jail time, while Kerrigan went on to win the silver medal at the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
The recent charge against Nancy's brother has reinvigorated Web searches on the infamous Olympic scandal. Queries on "nancy kerrigan and tonya harding" and "nancy kerrigan attacked" both quickly surged from zip into the thousands.
But while people are still intrigued by the Kerrigan-Harding incident, Web interest surrounding Daniel's untimely death is even higher. As the news continued to break, several details made their way onto the Web. Various news agencies, including the AP, reported that Mark Kerrigan has a history of domestic violence. He was also sued by his parents in order to "recover money they had provided him."
In the wake of the news, the family pleaded for privacy. The official statement explains that the Kerrigans are "mourning Dan and honoring his life and many contributions." No mention is made of the charge against Mark.
Unfortunately, that's just where the heartbreak begins. On Monday, Mark Kerrigan, Nancy's brother and Daniel's son, was charged with assaulting his father. Authorities are claiming there was a "violent struggle" at the family home in the Boston suburb of Stoneham.
The same day, Mark Kerrigan pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have said they will now await the result of an autopsy before deciding whether to pursue further charges against Mr. Kerrigan, who is being held on $10,000 bail. His attorney, Denise Moore, argued unsuccessfully that he should be released without bail, saying that Mark "is extremely distraught over the death of his father and denies any responsibility."
The Kerrigans are no strangers to sorrow. In 1994, Nancy, then a favorite for Olympic gold in figure skating, was attacked while practicing for the U.S. figure skating championships in Detroit. It was discovered that her rival, Tonya Harding, had a connection to the attacker. Ms. Harding, her ex-husband, and a friend were all implicated in the attack and attempts to cover it up. Harding avoided prosecution and jail time, while Kerrigan went on to win the silver medal at the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
The recent charge against Nancy's brother has reinvigorated Web searches on the infamous Olympic scandal. Queries on "nancy kerrigan and tonya harding" and "nancy kerrigan attacked" both quickly surged from zip into the thousands.
But while people are still intrigued by the Kerrigan-Harding incident, Web interest surrounding Daniel's untimely death is even higher. As the news continued to break, several details made their way onto the Web. Various news agencies, including the AP, reported that Mark Kerrigan has a history of domestic violence. He was also sued by his parents in order to "recover money they had provided him."
In the wake of the news, the family pleaded for privacy. The official statement explains that the Kerrigans are "mourning Dan and honoring his life and many contributions." No mention is made of the charge against Mark.
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