Bob Saget’s family may want to block autopsy report over fears it contains ’embarrassing’ details, expert says
BOB Saget's family may want to block the release of information about the star's death amid fears "embarrassing" details could be published, an expert claimed.
On Monday, a judge in Orlando, granted a temporary injunction blocking the release of any records relating to the investigation into Saget's death after his family filed a lawsuit citing privacy concerns.
In an interview with The Sun, Neama Rahmani, a former assistant US Attorney and the current president of , speculated the family likely wants to keep the records private for only "one of two reasons."
"They are either really private people and don’t want the public to have access to the potentially graphic details, pictures, and videos of his death, or there is some information in the records that is embarrassing," Rahmani said.
While a toxicology report confirmed that alcohol and drug use wasn't a factor in the case, Rahmani said "the question is what caused Saget to fall backward, hit his head, and die?
"That's not something that normally happens to healthy people."
The 65-year-old was found dead in a hotel room at the Orlando Ritz-Carlton on January 9, hours after performing a live stand-up show.
An autopsy report earlier this month showed the star died from an accidental blow to the head, having suffered an abrasion to his scalp, a fracture at the base of his skull, fractures around his eye sockets, and a bleed on his brain.
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Precisely how Saget sustained the injuries remains a mystery, though reports have emerged that police suspect the actor may have died after hitting the back of his head on the headboard of his hotel bed.
While the investigation continues, on Monday, Saget's widow, Kelly Rizzo, and his three daughters filed a lawsuit against law enforcement in Orlando, requesting that all materials gathered during the probe be kept confidential.
The news comes as:
- Saget's family sues to block the release of more details
- The actor was positive for Covid-19 at the time of his death
- Kelly Rizzo said Saget 'lived life to the fullest' before he died
- Saget's cause of death revealed to be brain bleeding after a fall
- Rizzo breaks down over 'heartbreaking' loss in first interview
Saget’s family argued that these materials - including photos, video, and audio recordings - would cause them “irreparable harm in the form of extreme mental pain, anguish and emotional distress,” if they were released.
Orange County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Chiu agreed to temporarily halt the release of the documents, writing the court needed time to weigh the family’s “legitimate privacy interest against the public’s claim for disclosure.”
Rahmani said Saget's family may also be weighing their legal options, with a personal injury case against the Ritz-Carlton a "possibility."
"[But] if the family files a civil lawsuit claiming the hotel was negligent for Saget’s slip or trip and fall, the hotel will be able to subpoena Saget’s medical records during the litigation," he explained.
LEGAL ACTION
"And although Judge Chiu has granted a temporary restraining order to maintain the status quo, that doesn’t mean the records will remain private forever."
The lawyer added: "The parties may fully brief the issue and the judge may decide to disclose the records because of the presumption that government records are public, or the government or media may appeal the ruling to a higher court.”
In the meantime, Judge Chiu's injunction order will remain in place until a future court decision is made on the lawsuit.
A lawyer for the Saget family has not yet responded to a request for comment from The Sun.
But in a statement to CNN, their legal team claimed - as Rahmani suggested - that they filed the lawsuit to keep "graphic" details about Saget's death confidential.
While acknowledging the “facts of the investigation should be made public,” such details should be left out of the public domain “out of respect for the dignity of Mr. Saget and his family.”
“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 lawyer added.
In response, the Orange County Sheriff's Department released a statement, saying that while "we are sensitive to the family's concerns about the right of privacy ... we must be balanced with our commitment to transparency, compliance with the law, and the public's right to know."
QUESTIONS REMAIN
Since Saget's autopsy report was released to the public, health experts have been raising questions on how thoroughly his death was investigated, and how he received the "significant" blow to the back of his head.
Some doctors have likened Saget's injuries to those someone would suffer if they'd been hit around the head with a baseball bat, or fallen 30 feet.
The actor was also positive for Covid-19 at the time of his death, but it did not play a role in his death.
“I think what it reveals more than anything else is that this was not a simple bump on the head,” said neurosurgeon Dr Sanjay Gupta.
“When you read this autopsy report that may still be the case, but it was a pretty significant blow to the head.”
The brain fractures he suffered, Gupta said, take a great deal of force to create.
"If I knew nothing else about what had happened, you’d think this was someone who had called down the stairs and had several impacts to the head or had been unrestrained in a car accident,” said Gupta.
“Whatever happened here, we may never know how he felt or what happened, but it was a significant blow that caused that.
“And likely, the bleeding on top of the brain is likely causing pressure on the brain and subsequently, sadly, what led to him becoming unconscious and dying.”
Dr Megan Ranney, an emergency physician, raised concerns by the autopsy report. She demanded that Saget’s family has a right to know what happened.
“Hi. ICYMI: This is not a ‘slip & fall’. This is not a minor concussion. This is MAJOR head trauma.
“My condolences to Saget’s friends & family. I hope they get answers to what really happened,”
'AMERICA'S DAD'
Saget was best known for his role as Danny Tanner, the patriarch of the Tanner family in Full House. He played the role opposite John Stamos and Dave Coulier.
His TV daughters were played bare Candace Cameron, Jodie Sweetin and twin Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen playing little Michelle Tanner.
Some of Saget's Full House co-stars released statements about their TV patriarch after his shock death last month.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen said they were “deeply saddened” about Saget’s passing.
“Bob was the most loving, compassionate and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has,” the siblings said.
“We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences.”
John Stamos, who played Uncle Jesse, “I am broken. I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much, Bobby.”
“I don’t know what to say,” wrote who played DJ Tanner. “I have no words. Bob was one of the best human beings I’ve ever known in my life. I loved him so much.”
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