Matiss Kivlenieks Cause of Death, What Happened to Matiss Kivlenieks? How Did Matiss Kivlenieks Die?
by Abinaya
Updated Jul 05, 2023
Matiss Kivlenieks Cause of Death
Matiss Kivlenieks tragically lost his life on July 4, 2021, as a result of being struck in the chest by a fireworks mortar shell. The incident took place during a wedding at the offseason home of Columbus Blue Jackets' goaltending coach, Manny Legace, in Novi, Michigan. While seated in a hot tub with others, an accidental discharge caused a mortar shell to be launched into the air, landing in the hot tub.
Upon detonation, Kivlenieks sustained a direct hit to the chest. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. After a thorough investigation, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office determined the cause of Kivlenieks' death to be accidental. It was revealed that a family member, responsible for handling fireworks at the wedding, inadvertently fired the mortar shell.
However, no charges were filed against the family member. The autopsy report confirmed that Kivlenieks' cause of death was chest trauma resulting from an errant fireworks mortar blast. In addition to fatal internal injuries, he also suffered "extensive" external injuries. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with fireworks mishandling.
What Happened to Matiss Kivlenieks?
On July 4, 2021 tragedy struck when 24-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks suffered a fatal accident involving a fireworks mortar blast at a residence in Novi, near Detroit. The cause of his untimely death was determined to be chest trauma resulting from the incident. The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the death was accidental, leading to the decision not to pursue any criminal charges.
Consequently, the case has been officially closed. The accident occurred during a July 4 celebration at the home of Manny Legace, who served as Kivlenieks' goalie coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets. This devastating event sent shockwaves through the hockey community, leaving behind a profound loss of a promising young talent. Kivlenieks will be remembered for his contributions to the sport and the impact he made during his time as a goaltender.
How did Matiss Kivlenieks Die?
On July 4, 2021, Matiss Kivlenieks, a talented Latvian ice hockey goaltender, tragically lost his life as a result of a fireworks accident. The incident occurred during a wedding at the offseason residence of Manny Legace, the goaltending coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, in Novi, Michigan. While sitting in a hot tub with others, an accidental discharge launched a fireworks mortar shell into the air, which unfortunately landed in the hot tub where Kivlenieks was situated.
The shell detonated upon impact, striking him in the chest. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Following a thorough investigation, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office determined that Kivlenieks' death was an accidental occurrence. It was concluded that a family member, responsible for handling fireworks during the wedding, inadvertently fired the mortar shell.
However, no criminal charges were filed against the family member. The autopsy report confirmed that Kivlenieks died as a result of chest trauma caused by the wayward fireworks mortar blast. In addition to his fatal internal injuries, the report noted "extensive" external injuries suffered by the young athlete.
Who was Matiss Kivlenieks?
Matīss Edmunds Kivlenieks, born on August 26, 1996, was a talented Latvian professional ice hockey goaltender who left a lasting impact on the sport. Throughout his career, he played for various teams, including Prizma Riga in the Latvian Hockey Higher League (LHL), the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Tragically, Kivlenieks' life was cut short on July 4, 2021, when he was accidentally struck by fireworks, leading to his untimely demise. Kivlenieks' hockey journey began in 2012, showcasing his skills and dedication to the sport. He demonstrated his abilities both domestically and internationally, representing Latvia in various tournaments.
In the AHL, he played for the Cleveland Monsters, where he honed his craft and displayed his potential as a goaltender. Matiss Kivlenieks reached the pinnacle of his career when he made his debut in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets. While his time in the NHL was relatively short, his contributions and potential as a rising star were widely recognized. He was highly regarded by his teammates and fans, known for his athleticism, determination, and passion for the game.
Name
Matiss Kivlenieks
Age
26
Date of Birth
8/26/1996
Height, Weight
6'2", 178 lbs
DOD
4 July 2021
Matiss Kivlenieks Early Life
Matiss Kivlenieks, born in Riga, Latvia, experienced a significant loss early in his life with the passing of his father due to natural causes. Raised by his mother and stepfather, who worked in the restaurant industry, Kivlenieks grew up alongside his younger sister. He possessed fluency in Latvian, Russian, and later, English after his time playing in the United States.
Kivlenieks developed a passion for ice hockey at a very young age. Inspired by his cousin's practices, he first stepped onto the ice around the age of 3 or 4. Fascinated by the game, he eagerly embraced the goaltender position and began actively playing at the age of 5. From these early beginnings, Matīss Kivlenieks embarked on a remarkable journey, displaying his natural talent and dedication to the sport.
His passion for ice hockey would eventually lead him to make a name for himself on both domestic and international stages, leaving an indelible mark on the hockey community.
Matiss Kivlenieks Age
Matiss Kivlenieks was a young athlete whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 24. Born on August 26, 1996, in Riga, Latvia, he showed immense promise as a goaltender in the NHL. His skills and potential had positioned him as the expected starting goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the upcoming 2021-2022 season.
The news of Kivlenieks' untimely passing sent shockwaves through the hockey community, eliciting an outpouring of grief from fans and teammates alike. The Columbus Blue Jackets expressed their deep sorrow in a heartfelt statement, describing Kivlenieks as a cherished member of their hockey family and highlighting his bright future.
Matiss Kivlenieks Family
No, Matiss Kivlenieks is not alive. He tragically passed away on July 4, 2021, at the age of 24, after being struck in the chest by a fireworks mortar shell. Matiss Kivlenieks had shown great potential as a rising star in the NHL, having played for the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2019. He was anticipated to become their starting goaltender for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
The news of his untimely death came as a shock to the hockey community, and he was deeply mourned by fans and teammates. In an official statement, the Blue Jackets expressed their profound sorrow, describing Kivlenieks as a cherished member of their team and emphasizing his bright future. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards associated with fireworks and the importance of exercising caution.
Matiss Kivlenieks Cause of Death - FAQ
Matiss Kivlenieks' death was caused by an accidental percussive injury resulting from a fireworks mortar blast, leading to severe chest trauma affecting his heart and lungs.
No, the autopsy revealed no signs of head trauma or external injuries to his chest.
Yes, the nine-shot firework responsible for the accident was legal in Michigan, according to the investigation.
Answer: No, the individual handling the firework was found to be unimpaired and had not broken any state laws.
No, the Oakland County prosecutor announced that no charges would be filed, and the investigation into the incident was officially closed.