Naomi Judd’s family has reportedly been granted a court order to have the late country legend’s “graphic” death records sealed from the public to eliminate pain “for years to come.”
In court documents obtained by NBC News, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, along with Judd’s widower, Larry Strickland, filed a request to keep the investigation into the “graphic manner” of the singer’s suicide a private matter, the outlet reported on Thursday. The injunctive relief was filled in Williamson County, Tennessee, on Monday.
The material reportedly obtained by the sheriff’s office, which responded to Judd’s death in April, collected photos and video evidence that, if released to the public, could cause “emotional distress, pain and mental anguish,” the court filing noted.
“Moreover, the release of these records would continue to cause the entire family pain for years to come,” it added.
A temporary injunction was reportedly granted on Tuesday, and an evidentiary hearing has been set for September.
In the order, the court reportedly stated that the county is to alert “anyone who requested documents connected to Judd’s death under the state’s open records law of the decision.”
The “Why Not Me” hitmaker killed herself in April after a lengthy battle with mental health problems, as The Daily Wire previously reported. She was 76.
“She obviously was suffering, and, as such, her days up until that moment were hurtful to her,” Ashley Judd said in a “Good Morning America” appearance.
The late country star and Strickland tied the knot in May 1989. Judd reportedly left complete control of her estate and fortune, believed to be worth $25 million, to Strickland, earmarking nothing for her two daughters.
In Judd’s will, obtained by RadarOnline, the late country legend makes no mention of her famous daughters. Whether the late singer instructed Strickland to divide her assets is unknown. There have been no official comments from Wynonna or her actress sister about the report yet.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free hotline for individuals in crisis or distress or for those looking to help someone else. It is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.