Man who died in Madison Square Garden fall at Goose concert identified
The man who fell to his death at Madison Square Garden over the weekend has been identified.
Paul Kueker, a 51-year-old from Connecticut, died June 20 after falling from an "elevated position" at the New York City stadium during a rock concert for the band Goose, the New York Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY.
His daughter, Kloe Kueker, also paid tribute to her late father on behalf of their family in a GoFundMe page created Monday, June 22.
"It is with profound sadness that I share the unexpected passing of my beloved father, Paul Kueker, at the age of 51, following a tragic accident," she wrote. "He was a loving father, family man, and friend whose presence brought warmth and laughter wherever he went. He loved spending time with his family and cherished every moment he shared with the people he loved. Whether he was cooking a meal for those around him or attending a concert to enjoy live music, he found joy in life’s simple moments and creating memories with others."
She continued: "Paul was also a hardworking and dedicated Sr. Director of Operations at Smartcon. He took pride in his work and was respected by his coworkers for his leadership, reliability, and strong work ethic. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed it."
Kueker's daughter said his "sudden" death "has left our family heartbroken."
"We are struggling to process this unimaginable tragedy while facing the expenses that come with laying him to rest. We have created this fundraiser to help cover funeral and memorial costs and to relieve some of the financial burden during this difficult time," she said.
As of June 23, the GoFundMe raised more than $51,000 of its $65,000 goal.
USA TODAY has reached out to GoFundMe for comment.
MSG death: What happened to Paul Kueker?
Police responded to a 911 call for an injured person at Madison Square Garden just before 10 p.m. June 20, where they found a concertgoer, now known to be Paul Kueker, "unconscious and unresponsive," the New York Police Department previously told USA TODAY.
Kueker was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities said his injuries were "indicative of falling from an elevated position," but added the investigation is ongoing.
In an interview with New York Daily News, Kueker's mom, Patti Finelli, revealed he had taken his wife to see the band Goose perform to celebrate their 25th anniversary together.
She explained that Kueker had gotten up to use the restroom during the show and never returned. After 10 or 15 minutes, Finelli said Kueker's wife "was getting worried," noting she didn't see her husband fall.
Calling Kueker "a wonderful dad," Finelli also shared his son graduated high school two days prior to the incident.
"He loved everybody," Finelli said of Kueker. "He had no enemies. He was the life of the party. His sense of humor was beyond."
Goose reacted to the news in an Instagram post hours after Kueker's death, which read, "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."
"Thank you to the emergency personnel and venue staff who stepped in with care and support," the band added.
Goose is known for its music fusing psychedelic and funk sounds and consists of four members: Rick Mitarotonda, Trevor Weeks, Peter Anspach and Cotter Ellis. They played two shows at Madison Square Garden on June 19 and June 20 as part of their ongoing summer tour.
Contributing: Drew Pittock, USA TODAY