Man accidentally stabs himself to death with knife on lanyard outside birthday party
A Massachusetts man died after alledgedly stabbing himself by accident
![Patrick Kenney died in a freak accident on Saturday night](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/12/06/15/Screenshot%202023-12-06%20154250.png)
Your support helps us to tell the story
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Head shot of Louise Thomas](https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
A man has died in a freak accident after a knife attached to a lanyard around his neck is thought to have played a part in his death.
Patrick Kenney Jr, 42, was found dead on Saturday night outside a restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts, while he was attending a birthday party at the Kowloon restaurant, his family told local outlets.
It is reported that the man had a knife attached to a lanyard around his neck when he was found, according to a source close to the investigation who told NBC Boston.
It is unclear what the purpose of the knife was or why Mr Kenney was wearing it around his neck.
However, local news station Boston25 reported that a law enforcement source told them that Mr Kenney’s death was allegedly caused by a “knife necklace” rather than a knife attached to a lanyard.
The source also claims that Mr Kenney accidentally tripped in the parking lot as he was walking to a bus to get back home after the party, which caused him to injure himself with the knife.
The Independent has contacted the Essex County District Attorney’s Office for further clarification.
The family of Mr Kenney also spoke to the outlet and said that his death was a freak accident, something that the Essex County District Attorney’s Office also believes, as there was no evidence that anyone else was involved.
Mr Kenney was found at the scene with a knife wound after 9pm and died a short time later in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, District Attorney Paul F Tucker’s office said in a statement on Sunday.
![The incident occurred outside the iconic Kowloon restaurant](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/12/06/16/Screenshot%202023-12-06%20161529.png)
Mr Kenney’s family issued a statement saying, "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. Patrick was a loving father and husband, brother, son and loyal friend to many."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family Mr Kenney has had to leave behind, surpassing its $50,000 goal and raising $76,000 as of Wednesday.
The Wong Family, who owns Kowloon, also commented on the tragic incident outside their restaurant.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. Nothing else matters at this time. We ask that people don’t jump to conclusions until an investigation is completed,” the family said to WCVB-TV.
Kowloon is a popular stand-alone restaurant in Massachusetts but is well recognised due to its landmark status along US Route 1 and hosting famous faces on its stage, such as Jerry Seinfeld.
However, this is the second tragic incident that Kowloon has been associated with in the space of two weeks after a violent brawl sparked in the restaurant on Thanksgiving Eve.
Four people have reportedly been charged in connection with the fight.
The Essex County District Attorney’s Office said the investigation surrounding Mr Kenney’s death continues.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments