Blue Jackets G Matiss Kivlenieks dies from fireworks blast
FILE PHOTO: May 8, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks (80) makes a save in net against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
July 6, 2021
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died Sunday night of chest trauma — not a head injury from a fall — caused by a fireworks mortar blast. He was 24.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office reported preliminary results Monday after an autopsy. Police in Novi, Mich., now say the mortar-style device began to tilt and fire at a group of people at a Fourth of July party. Kivlenieks was in a hot tub and among those trying to exit the tub to get out of the way, police Lt. Jason Meier said. Investigators are calling his death accidental.