Boogaard's Family Speaks Out After Charges Filed
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The family of Aaron Boogard have been quiet since he was charged in the death of his brother Derek, but on Tuesday, they released a statement.
Aaron Boogaard was in court Monday, facing one felony drug count and one gross misdemeanor count, of "interfering with the scene of a death."
Prosecutors say he gave his brother a prescription painkiller the night the NHL player died, and flushed other pills down the toilet before police arrived.
The family said in a statement that Aaron has fully cooperated with the investigation and "now, just over two months after losing his big brother and still grieving, he will have to endure very public legal proceedings."
The statement goes on to talk about Derek Boogaard's addiction to pain pills, and says that Aaron never condoned what Derek did and supported Derek in his most recent attempt at rehab.
The family also says to insinuate that Aaron had anything remotely to do with Derek's death is just plain wrong.
Read the full statement below:
Our family has been fairly mum on the recent arrest and subsequent charges laid against my younger brother, Aaron, so I would like to share a few words.
Although I cannot make specific comments as to proving or disproving the allegation's against Aaron while the matter is before the court, I can say that our family fully supports him and we are disappointed in both the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Prosecution Office in their decision to prosecute him.
Aaron had fully cooperated with their investigation and now, just over two months after losing his big brother and still grieving, he will have to endure very public legal proceedings.
Aaron has never sold prescribed and non prescribed painkillers, never bought prescribed and non prescribed painkillers and Aaron does not abuse prescribed and non prescribed painkillers. The prosecutions office did not disclose all the details surrounding the investigation but for me go into more detail about this would go against my previous statement about not commenting to prove or disprove the allegations and Aaron gets his day in court so it can all come to fruition at that time.
In summary, there is more than what has been released to the media.
Aaron has never been arrested in the United States or Canada and, up until recent, Aaron has never been charged for any criminal offense.
As it is now widely known, Derek became addicted to pain killers after having shoulder surgery in 2009. This broke our family's hearts to watch as Derek battled the disease. After two failed attempts in rehab, this was a fight that Derek never got up from.
Aaron never condoned what Derek did and had actually gone to California to support Derek in his latest rehab attempt.
To insinuate that Aaron had anything remotely to do with Derek's death, as Prosecutor Mike Freeman alluded to, is just plain wrong but, again, I cannot comment specifics as it is before the court.
Our family is still grieving over the loss of Derek and this has affected nobody more than his summertime roommate, training partner, best friend and loving brother, Aaron.
