Judge temporarily blocks release of Bob Saget’s autopsy records
(NewsNation Now) — A Florida judge on Wednesday agreed with the request by comedian Bob Saget’s family and temporarily prohibited the release of any photos, video or other records related to the investigation into his death, saying that doing so would cause them irreparable harm.
Circuit Judge Vincent Chiu issued the temporary injunction, saying that Saget’s family would suffer “severe mental pain, anguish, and emotional distress” if the request wasn’t granted. Chiu said the injunction was in the public’s interest as he decides whether the family’s privacy concerns outweigh any claims for the records to be released.
Saget, 65, was found dead on Jan. 9 in a room at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando. He was on a stand-up comedy tour at the time of his death. The medical examiner said last week that Saget died from an accidental blow to the head, likely from a backward fall.
An autopsy report showed that Saget had an abrasion on his scalp, a fracture at the base of his skull, fractures around his eye sockets, bleeding between the brain and tissue covering the brain as well as bruises to the brain. A toxicology analysis didn’t show any drugs or toxins in Saget’s body.
During the course of the autopsy and death investigation, the medical examiner’s office and sheriff’s office created graphic videos and photos of Saget’s body, as well as audio recordings. Such records are prohibited by state law from being released publicly, but some media outlets have already filed requests for them, according to the family’s lawsuit.
This order is temporary, which means the judge will continue to review the case to determine if the family’s need for privacy outweighs the public’s interest in those details.