Charges Upgraded For Man Whose Navy Vet Dad Died Hours After Fight, Monmouth Prosecutor Says

Kyle Kiernan, 36, was charged with second-degree reckless manslaughter, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release on Thursday, June 6. His charge was related to the death of his 62-year-old father Lawrence Kiernan.

Middletown police responded to a domestic violence report at a home on the 300 block of Pine Street at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Kyle Kiernan was arrested, charged with simple assault, and brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

Lawrence Kiernan declined medical treatment but hours later, officers returned to the home for a medical emergency at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, June 2. He was found unresponsive and rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead just before noon.

Investigators said Lawrence Kiernan's injuries from the fight caused his death, which was ruled a homicide after an autopsy on Tuesday, June 4. 

Kyle Kiernan's simple assault charge was upgraded to reckless manslaughter on Wednesday, June 5 and he was held in the county jail to await future court appearances.

According to his obituary, Lawrence Kiernan was a Navy veteran originally from Jersey City and worked as a pressman for several printing companies. A memorial visitation will be held at Day Funeral Home on Maple Place in Keyport from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.

Anyone with information about Lawrence Kiernan's death should call the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 800-533-7443 or the Middletown Township Police Department at 732-615-2100.

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