ORLANDO, Fla. (KNX) — A Florida judge temporarily blocked the release of certain medical records regarding Bob Saget's death Wednesday, including his autopsy photos, just a day after his family filed a lawsuit to prevent the further release of records pertaining to the investigation into his Jan. 9 death.
Circuit Judge Vincent Chiu said Saget’s wife and daughters will "suffer irreparable harm in the form of severe mental pain, anguish, and emotional distress if the requested temporary injunction is not granted” and that they “have a clear legal right or interest in the Protected Records as the surviving spouse and children of Mr. Saget,” according to 1010 WINS.
The family of actor and comedian Bob Saget filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to prevent the release of certain records of the investigation into his death.
The autopsy report indicated that although Saget had tested positive for COVID-19, he died from a head injury.
"It is the most probable that the decedent suffered an unwitnessed fall backwards and struck the posterior aspect of his head. The manner of death is accident," Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua D. Stephany said in his report.
While there was no alcohol in his system, the autopsy did detect Clonazepam, also known as Klonopin, which is taken to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and seizures; as well as the antidepressant Trazodone.
Still, the family has sought to block both the Orange County sheriff and medical examiner’s office from releasing portions of their findings, citing privacy concerns, and due to their graphic nature.
"In the process of these investigations, Defendants created records which include photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, statutorily protected autopsy information, and all other statutorily protected information," the complaint stated. "Upon information and belief, some of these Records graphically depict Mr. Saget, his likeness or features, or parts of him, and were made by Defendants during Defendants' investigations."
The Saget family’s attorney told CNN the main point of the injunction was to prevent the release of any graphic photos taken of the comedian’s body.
"The facts of the investigation should be made public, but these materials should remain private out of respect for the dignity of Mr. Saget and his family,” he said. “It's very simple — from a human and legal standpoint, the Saget family's privacy rights outweigh any public interest in disclosure of this sensitive information."
The family insisted that release of the specified records would cause them to “suffer irreparable harm in the form of extreme mental pain, anguish, and emotional distress.”
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