A 51-year-old south Manatee County man has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of his 85-year-old father after an altercation inside a home, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded around 10 p.m. Aug. 20 to a residence in the 500 block of Magellan Drive following a report of a fight between Richard Cantwell, 85, and his son, Kieran Cantwell, 51.
Investigators allege Kieran Cantwell punched his father once in the face during the altercation. The impact caused Richard Cantwell to fall backward and strike his head on a tile floor, according to the sheriff’s office.
Richard Cantwell was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. He died four days later, on Aug. 24, as a result of those injuries.
Kieran Cantwell was arrested at the scene following the Aug. 20 incident and initially charged with felony battery.
Following Richard Cantwell’s death, detectives continued their investigation and consulted with the State Attorney’s Office. On Friday, Aug. 28, Kieran Cantwell was charged with second-degree murder in connection with his father’s death.
He remains in custody at the Manatee County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.
The charge is an allegation, and Cantwell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
