Judge makes ban on Saget autopsy records release permanent

March 15, 2022 5:30 AM

Associated Press

Posted: March 15, 2022 5:30 AM

Updated: March 30, 2022 3:48 PM

Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File

FILE - Bob Saget arrives at a screening of "MacGruber" on Dec. 8, 2021, in Los Angeles.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A judge in Florida on Monday agreed to make permanent an order that prohibits the release of photos, video or other records related to the investigation into the death of comedian Bob Saget.

During a court hearing in Orlando, Circuit Judge Vincent Chiu said he would issue a permanent injunction that had been requested by Saget’s widow, Kelly Rizzo, and his three daughters. The family members had filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the release of any records from the local medical examiner’s office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office involving the investigation into Saget’s death.

Saget, 65, was found dead Jan. 9 in a room at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando. He had performed in the area the previous night as part of a stand-up tour.

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Saget died from an accidental blow to the head, likely from a fall backward, according to the medical examiner. 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, bruises to the brain, and bleeding between the brain and tissue covering the brain. A toxicology analysis didn’t show any illicit 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 had already filed requests for them, according to the family’s lawsuit.

Evan Agostini
Roastmaster Bob Saget, left, poses with honoree Jack Black at the Friars Club Roast at the New York Hilton on Friday April 5, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Host Bob Saget, center, joins together with guests Jack Black, left, and Kevin Nealon before the Cool Comedy's Hot Cuisine Benefit for the Scleroderma Research Foundation at the Four Seasons Hotel on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
STUART RAMSON
Actor/comedian Bob Saget arrives at the premiere of the film "The Aristocrats", Tuesday, July 26, 2005, in New York. The film is a documentary about an abominably foul-mouthed joke comedians have been sharing for decades. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)
JOHN SMOCK
Actor Bob Saget arrives at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, for the premiere of 'No Direction Home: Bob Dylan,' a feature-length documentary film directed by Martin Scorsese about music legend Bob Dylan. (AP Photo/John Smock)
Jordan Strauss
Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier attend the premiere of "Fuller House" on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
PHIL MCCARTEN
Actor Bob Saget arrives at the Friends of the Los Angeles Free Clinic Annual Dinner Gala held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Monday, Nov. 20, 2006, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Phil McCarten)
Chris Pizzello
Host Bob Saget, right, shares a laugh with actress Cobie Smulders at the Cool Comedy's Hot Cuisine Benefit for the Scleroderma Research Foundation at the Four Seasons Hotel on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Louis Lanzano
Tony award winner Bob Martin, right, interacts on stage with Bob Saget, left, during a free performance as cast members from dozens of Broadway shows celebrate the return to the theater following an end to the 19-day strike by stagehands and producers, Friday, Nov. 30, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)
Chris Pizzello
Bob Saget arrives at the CBS, CW and Showtime Press Tour Party in Los Angeles, Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
DAN STEINBERG
Actor and roastee Bob Saget roasts his fellow roasters at the "Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget" in Burbank, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
DAN STEINBERG
From left to right, actor Dave Coulier, actress Lori Loughlin, actor Bob Saget, actress Jodie Sweetin, and actor John Stamos pose on the press line at the "Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget" in Burbank, Calif. on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Mark Davis
Michelle B. Ghaltchi (L) actor Bob Saget (2nd-L) and former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan (R) share a moment at the Peace of Heart 2008 Fundraising Gala Dinner held at the Beverly Wilshire hotel on Tuesday September 23, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (AP Photo/Mark Davis)
Evan Agostini
Actor Bob Saget attends the Friars Club Roast of 'Today Show' host Matt Lauer on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
DAN STEINBERG
From left to right, television and radio personality Adam Carolla, comedian Jim Norton, actor and comedian Bob Saget, and comedian Jeffrey Ross arrive at the ShakesBEER Kegger fundraiser event in Malibu, Calif. on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Proceeds from the event will support the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget, left, and Jerry Seinfeld attend the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Fatherhood Luncheon held at The Palm Restaurant on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Eric Charbonneau
Exec. Producer Jeff Franklin, John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Chief Content Officer of Netflix -Ted Sarandos, Michael Campion, Candace Cameron Bure, Elias Harger, Soni Bringas, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier and Juan Pablo Di Pace seen at Netflix Premiere of "Fuller House" at The Grove - Pacific Theatres on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Netflix/AP Images)
Chris Pizzello
Host Bob Saget poses alongside an Oscar statue before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 40th Student Academy Awards at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on Saturday, June 8, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Host Bob Saget, left, and honoree Jason Alexander share a laugh at the 13th Annual Lupus LA Orange Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Thursday, May 9, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Greg Allen
Musician John Mayer, left, Comedian Joan Rivers, Comedian Bob Newhart, Honoree Don RIckles, Comedian Kathy Griffin, Actor Bob Saget and Comedian Lewis Black pose for photos at the Friars Club Roast in his honor at the Waldorf Astoria on Monday, June 24, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)
Jordan Strauss
Lara Saget, left, and Bob Saget arrive at the 56th annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Dan Steinberg
Actor Bob Saget attends the 2nd Annual "Rebels With a Cause" Gala benefiting the USC Center for Applied Molecular Medicine at Paramount Pictures Studios on Thursday, March 20, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP Images)
Rich Fury
Jack Black, left, and Bob Saget arrive at the Cool Comedy: Hot Cuisine Gala Benefit at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Friday, June 5, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget, left, and John Stamos arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "Mother's Day" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Actress Cobie Smulders, left, shares a laugh with host Bob Saget at the Cool Comedy's Hot Cuisine Benefit for the Scleroderma Research Foundation at the Four Seasons Hotel on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Jordan Strauss
Jodie Sweetin, back row from left, Jeff Franklin, Candace Cameron-Bure, John Brotherton, Dave Coulier, Scott Weinger, Lori Loughlin, Andrea Barber, and front row from left, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Bob Saget, and John Stamos pose in the press room with the award for favorite premium comedy series for "Fuller House" at the People's Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jordan Strauss
Bob Saget, from left, Dave Coulier, and John Stamos, winners of the award for favorite premium comedy series for "Fuller House", pose in the press room at the People's Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget arrives at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Aubrey Saget, from left, Bob Saget, Kelly Rizzo and Lara Saget attend the 30th annual Scleroderma Foundation Benefit at the Beverly Wilshire hotel on Friday, June 16, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Bob Saget, left, and Norman Lear speak at the 30th annual Scleroderma Foundation Benefit at the Beverly Wilshire hotel on Friday, June 16, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Bob Saget, Bob Newhart and Jimmy Kimmel, from left, attend the 30th annual Scleroderma Foundation Benefit at the Beverly Wilshire hotel Friday, June 16, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Bob Saget, from left, Bob Newhart and Jimmy Kimmel attend the 30th annual Scleroderma Foundation Benefit at the Beverly Wilshire hotel on Friday, June 16, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget, left, and Kelly Rizzo attend the Opening Night of the 2018 Beverly Hills Film Festival at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget, left, and Dr. Drew Pinsky attend the Opening Night of the 2018 Beverly Hills Film Festival at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
John Mayer, from left, Bob Saget, Candace Cameron-Bure and John Stamos attend the Opening Night of the 2018 Beverly Hills Film Festival at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Bob Saget, left, and Kelly Rizzo arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
CORRECTS NAME TO CANDACE CAMERON BURE Andrea Barber, from left, Bob Saget, and Candace Cameron Bure arrive at night one of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at The Microsoft Theater on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
John Stamos, from left, Caitlin McHugh, Kelly Rizzo and Bob Saget attend the Governors Ball during night one of the Television Academy's 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget attends the "Shameless" FYC event at Linwood Dunn Theater on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Comedian Bob Saget performs on stage at KAABOO Texas at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Actor/comedian Bob Saget performs with David Shaw of The Revivalists during KAABOO 2019 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Del Mar, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Actor/comedian Bob Saget performs with Zack Feinberg of The Revivalists during KAABOO 2019 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Del Mar, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Charles Sykes
Bob Saget attends the premiere of Dave Chappelle's untitled documentary during the closing night celebration for the 20th Tribeca Festival, at Radio City Music Hall, on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Charles Sykes
Lara Saget, left, Bob Saget and Kelly Rizzo attend the premiere of Dave Chappelle's untitled documentary during the closing night celebration for the 20th Tribeca Festival, at Radio City Music Hall, on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Charles Sykes
Bob Saget and Kelly Rizzo attend the premiere of Dave Chappelle's untitled documentary during the closing night celebration for the 20th Tribeca Festival, at Radio City Music Hall, on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Richard Shotwell
Bob Saget arrives at a screening of "MacGruber" on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)