(NECN: Brad Puffer, Stoneham, Mass.) - Prosecutors say Daniel Kerrigan, the father of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, died early Sunday morning at his home in Stoneham, Massachusetts, following a violent argument and struggle with his 45-year-old son, Mark Kerrigan, who now stands accused of assault. Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan left with her mother from their Stoneham, Massahchusetts family home, a day after Kerrigan's father, 70 year old Daniel Kerrigan died. His death came shortly after an apparent altercation with his son. Chief Richard Bongiorno, Stoneham Police Dept: "We do not know the cause of death. There will be an autopsy and as a result of the autopsy that will hopefully indicate the cause of death. We did make an arrest of Mark Kerrigan." 45-year-old Mark Kerrigan was arraigned on assault and battery charges in Woburn District Court Monday. He apparently told police he wanted to use the kitchen phone, but his father wouldn't let him. Police said Mark told them he '…put his hands around his father's neck and his father fell to the floor. He said that his father was faking it." Elizabeth Keeley, ADA Middlesex County "He was clearly intoxicated. He was also extremely combative with the police, very violent, he refused to comply with their orders. And they had to subdue him with the sue of pepper spray." Mark Kerrigan has a lengthy record. Twice he has been convicted of assault and battery charges against his wife at the time. He had just finished a two and half year jail sentence and moved back to this parents home in November. Denise Moore, Defense Attorney "He denies responsibility for this. He is quite distraught about his father's death. He is grieving." Back in 1994, Daniel Kerrigan was interviewed along with his daughter after she took home the Silver medal. Friends and neighbors say he was a devoted father, his death a family tragedy. Jim Day, Family friend "They are a wonderful family. They bonded well. And you couldn't ask for a nicer family. You've seen what the family has been through over the years. I think the ups and downs that they have gone through. No family would want to have to endure a lot of this."