Why Bob Saget’s Family Sued to Keep the ‘Full House’ Star’s Death Records Confidential
Bob Saget’s family sparked speculation about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the Full House star’s death by filing a lawsuit to keep the investigation private. Here’s why Saget’s family sued to prevent details of the death investigation from being released to the press.
Bob Saget’s family filed a lawsuit to keep the ‘Full House’ star’s death records confidential
Comedian Bob Saget was found dead in his hotel room in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 9. The 65-year-old was on a stand-up tour and had performed a two-hour set the prior evening. His death was ruled an accident caused by head trauma, likely from falling in his hotel room.
A month after Saget’s death, his family, including his wife Kelly Rizzo and his three daughters, filed a lawsuit against the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office and Orange County Sheriff John Mina to block them from sharing documents related to the comedian’s death investigation.
After news of the lawsuit broke, the comedian’s fans speculated on social media about why his family didn’t want the details of his death released. Some fans suggested the family had something to hide with tweets like, “Whenever the family wants to hide the cause of death, then its either suicide or drug related.” Another fan tweeted a comment about the lawsuit, writing, “But why? Unless it’s to hide something 🤔”
On Mar. 14, CNN reported that Saget’s family was granted a permanent injunction, preventing the release of the Full House star’s death investigation records.
“The entire Saget family is grateful that the Judge granted their request for an injunction to preserve Bob’s dignity, as well as their privacy rights, especially after suffering this unexpected and tragic loss,” Saget family attorney Brian Bieber shared with the publication in a statement. “We are pleased this issue has been resolved, and the healing process can continue to move forward. All of the prayers and well wishes continuously extended to the family are beyond appreciated.”
Bob Saget’s family cited ‘emotional distress’ as the reason they did not want ‘graphic’ photos from the comedian’s death investigation released
Bob Saget’s family stated in court documents that sharing further information about the Full House star’s death with the public would cause “irreparable harm in the form of extreme mental pain, anguish, and emotional distress.”
Now that the family has been granted a permanent injunction in their lawsuit, more details about the case have come out that suggest why Saget’s family wanted the records kept private.
A source with inside knowledge of the investigation told CNN that the final report on Saget’s death contained “no surprises” and aligned with the medical examiner’s ruling that the comedian likely struck his head by accident.
Court documents in the case show that “graphic” photos from the death investigation were part of what the family wanted to keep confidential.
“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 lawsuit read. “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.”
It’s understandable that Saget’s family would want to keep graphic photos of him taken after his death off the internet.
The ‘Full House’ star’s daughter shared a message about privacy and grief
On Feb. 14, one day before filing the death investigation lawsuit, Bob Saget’s daughter, Lara Saget, posted a few words about grief and privacy on Instagram.
She shared a poem-style message that read, “If people only knew/How much words and actions matter/How much love and respect mean/How important it is to be kind, honest, and respectful/How poisonous gossip is/How important privacy is to grieve/How we are all responsible.”
Later in the lengthy post, Saget wrote, “It is so sad to see where so many people place their focus, on pain, drama, gossip, negativity. That focus creates pain in this world and in everyone’s lives.”
