In a tragic incident in Massachusetts, a father died after accidentally stabbing himself with a knife he was wearing on a lanyard around his neck. The incident occurred on Saturday night in the parking lot of the Kowloon restaurant in Saugus, a town approximately 11 miles north of Boston, as reported by WCVB.
Initially, police suspected that Patrick Kenney Jr., 42, father of young twins, might have been the victim of an attack when he was found collapsed. However, subsequent investigations led authorities to conclude that the injury was self-inflicted and accidental.
District Attorney Paul Tucker and Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli issued a joint statement clarifying that the incident appeared accidental and no other parties were involved. Kenney was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. He had traveled by bus to the restaurant to attend a family birthday party, according to NBC 10.
In a statement released by his family, they expressed their deep sorrow and shock over the loss. “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,” they said. The family remembered Patrick as a loving father, husband, brother, son, and loyal friend, describing his death as a “horrible tragedy.”
The Wong family, owners of the Kowloon restaurant, where Kenney and his family were regular customers, also expressed their condolences. They urged the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions and to wait for the investigation to be completed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. Nothing else matters at this time,” the Wong family stated. This unfortunate event has left the community and Kenney’s family grieving and seeking to understand the circumstances of this unexpected tragedy.