The death of a Connecticut father who plunged from a Madison Square Garden balcony has been officially ruled an accident.
Paul Kueker, 51, of Niantic, Connecticut, died from “multiple blunt impact injuries” after the June 20 fall during a Goose concert, the city medical examiner’s office determined Monday. Kueker had been at the Manhattan arena celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Kristen, when he went over a 4-foot-high glass barrier in the 300s section shortly before 10 p.m.
Law-enforcement sources previously told The Post that Kueker “appeared intoxicated” and “under the influence” before the fatal tumble, quoting witnesses at the scene. The ruling comes nearly two months after the incident that left two children without a father and a wife widowed during what was supposed to be a milestone celebration.
One horrified witness told The Post that after the tragic fall, he saw Kueker’s head “like a foot to the left of my shoes.”
“Within a few seconds, I was standing in blood,” the traumatized man said.
The witness said Kueker’s fatal fall happened during intermission, when about 25 to 50 percent of people were in their seats. The Post exclusively viewed video footage showing Kueker plunging head-first over the barrier, with the witness describing hearing a sudden loud bang seconds later, followed by people screaming to get the man help.
Kueker’s mother, Patricia Finelli, told the New York Daily News that her son had gotten up to use the restroom and never returned. “He got up to go to the bathroom, and he didn’t come back,” Finelli said. “She was getting worried after 10 or 15 minutes. And he didn’t come back.” Police found Kristen inside the stadium and broke the news to her there. Kueker was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Finelli spoke emotionally about her son in the days following his death, describing him as someone who would do anything for the people he loved. “He was the greatest kid in the whole wide world. He’d give you the shirt off his back,” she said. “He has two children, a beautiful wife, and he took care of me like I was a piece of gold.” She confirmed the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary fell on the Tuesday after the concert, and that the Goose show had been intended as a celebration of the milestone.
Kueker served as the director of operations for the energy management company Smartcon Solutions. “Paul meant the world to everyone at Smartcon,” William Brown, the company’s general manager, said in a statement. “He was an extraordinary person and a valued member of our team, and the loss is felt deeply across our entire company. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. He will be profoundly missed.”
The band Goose addressed the tragedy on Instagram in the immediate aftermath. “We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the tragic event that occurred at tonight’s show. We extend our deepest sympathy to everyone affected,” the band posted. “Thank you to the emergency personnel and venue staff who stepped in with care and support.” An MSG Entertainment spokesperson also expressed condolences, telling PIX11, “While we await the police report on the tragedy at last night’s Goose concert, we are deeply saddened by the loss of a fan’s life at Madison Square Garden. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the concertgoer.”
In the viral moment that preceded Monday’s ruling, Kueker’s death marked the second fatal fall from an upper level at Madison Square Garden in three years, raising questions about safety measures at the iconic venue. The 150-foot plunge occurred in Section 300, where the 4-foot glass barrier was the only thing separating concertgoers from the edge. The NYPD confirmed Kueker’s identity and said no criminality was suspected in the early stages of the investigation, though the circumstances of how a married father of two ended up over the railing during an anniversary outing left his family and witnesses searching for answers.
The band began selling a “Big Love” t-shirt online following the incident, saying all proceeds would go to a GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Kueker’s family.