Naomi Judd’s Family Requests That The Death Investigation Report Be Sealed

Naomi Judd’s family asked a judge on Friday to order the police investigation into her death to be closed.

The family petitioned Williamson County Chancery Court, claiming that releasing the records would cause “significant trauma and irreparable harm” because they contain video and audio interviews with relatives conducted in the aftermath of Judd’s death.

She petitioned on behalf of herself, Larry Strickland, and their daughters Ashley and Wynonna Judd. The Associated Press obtained it with the permission of a family representative.

According to court documents, Ashley Judd discovered her mother alive after she shot herself. Ashley stayed by her mother’s side for 30 minutes as they awaited assistance.
Police records may be withheld pending the completion of an investigation, but this is at the discretion of Tennessee law enforcement officials. The exemption is no longer valid once the investigation is completed. The Associated Press sought comment from the sheriff on Friday and left a message for him.
A number of celebrities have publicly expressed their displeasure with the documentation, including Strickland, Wynonna, and Ashley Judd. Strickland claims in his court filing that he had no idea his police interviews were being taped when he gave them private information to help their investigation.
Ashley Judd claimed to law enforcement that she was in “clinical shock, active trauma, and acute distress,” and that she did not want the video, audio, and photographic evidence collected at the scene to remain in the public domain indefinitely and haunt their family for generations to come.

According to the petition, local news stations in her home state of Tennessee have already requested public records for relevant evidence.
Judd’s death the day before her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame drew intense national media attention, both because of the circumstances surrounding her death and because of the subsequent probate and will proceedings.
The family issued a statement in which they explained that they felt the need to clarify some rumours about the Judds in order to protect their privacy while they grieved.

According to the family’s official statement, “our family continues to grieve privately, in unity and community, recognising our mother’s beauty and talents as a gift to the world.” We deeply regret that false information has spread while we mourn. We ask that news outlets stick to reporting the facts. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact NAMI: The National Alliance on Mental Illness at 800-950-6264.
Mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna achieved 14 number ones on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart during their nearly three-decade career as The Judds. The redheaded duo of the 1980s fused Appalachian bluegrass and modern pop sounds, yielding a string of hits. Wynonna took the lead in the duo with her powerful voice, while Naomi provided harmony and a slick stage presence.
Six studio albums and an extended play were released by the Judds between 1984 and 1991; they also won nine awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music during that time. Five of their songs, including “Why Not Me” and “Give a Little Love,” were certified gold singles, and Naomi earned a sixth Grammy for her contribution to the song “Love Can Build a Bridge” alongside John Jarvis and Paul Overstreet.