By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First
Ten days after his death, Scott Kastner, 42, was identified Tuesday as the man that died following a vicious beating at Burlington City Hall Park, city police said.
The name of the Pittsfield, Mass. native was released 10 days after Kastner died at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.
Burlington Police said Tuesday they were still waiting for a cause and manner of death ruling from Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Elaine R. Amoresano. Death was listed as 8:59 a.m. Aug. 16, according to the state death certificate.
Shaun Kastner, a brother, said the family was told that the chief medical examiner’s office wanted to be 100 percent certain for the cause and manner of death before making a final determination.
His brother will be missed, Shaun Kastner said.
“He loved to sing. He loved his kids,” Shaun Kastner said about his brother.
Two of the victim’s children, ages 5 and 6, were living with Kastner in Burlington. Two others, ages 17 and 18, are living in Massachusetts, Shaun Kastner said.
His mother, Teresa Kastner Watford, has created a GoFundMe account in the hopes to generate $10,000 toward the cost of the funeral.
Watford declined comment when reached by Vermont News First.
“It’s too much,” she said about the premature loss of her son, referring questions to her other children.
The severe daylight beating by juveniles happened the afternoon of Aug. 11 about 1:30 p.m., but Burlington Police never released the name of the injured victim.
A week later, Vermont News First, citing informed sources, was the first news outlet to report the victim had died sometime over the weekend.
Interim Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke confirmed the death.
Burlington Police said it had officers on foot patrol on Church Street on Aug. 11 when they came across the assault in progress with the injured man by City Hall Park.
The three juveniles fled on foot and by bicycle in broad daylight, but the officers were able to chase down the suspects, Police Lt. Mike Henry said.
The three youths, believed to be roughly 14 to 16 years old, are facing proceedings in Vermont Family Court.
Those court proceedings are confidential and have very limited consequences due to the lack of rehabilitation services for youthful offenders within Vermont.
One suspect carried a gun, and police determined it was displayed while they attacked the victim, Henry reported. He said additional arrests were anticipated.
The victim was taken to the UVM Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries. His condition went downhill in recent days.
The funeral for Kastner is planned for 11:30 a.m. Saturday Sept. 6 outdoors at the Unity Terrace at Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East Street, Pittsfield MA.
Anyone with information about the attack and death is asked to contact Burlington Police Detective Zach Beal at zbeal@bpdvt.org or at (802) 540-2364.
