Andy Irons Autopsy Report Delayed....Again

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

The autopsy results of Andy Irons have been delayed for another thirty days at the request of his family.

In December 2010, a Texas judge approved his wife, Lyndie Irons', petition to postpone the release of the report until May 20th, citing the "intense news frenzy" and "innuendo of drug use" surrounding her husband's death.

Yesterday, the family asked for and was given another extension. The autopsy results are expected to be released on Monday, June 20th.

Irons was found dead in his hotel room at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in November 2010, where he was staying on a layover on his way home to Hawaii.

Comments

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Friday, 20 May 2011 at 12:04am

What is an extra month going to achieve?

If it were released earlier, it would of all been forgotten by now, and people would remember Andy for his competitive nature, what he gave to the sport and his positive attributes.

Delaying it again just keeps this black cloud over his death, and prolongs the healing of those who knew him.

If they are never going to release the report, then just say it, but to keep pushing it back and back and back is ridiculous!

alakaboo's picture
alakaboo's picture
alakaboo Friday, 20 May 2011 at 1:18am

Well, June 20th isn't during an ASP event sponsored by Billabong.
Too cynical?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 20 May 2011 at 2:05am

I'm not really one for conspiracy theories Alakaboo, when the choice is between 'conspiracy' or 'stupidity' I always defer to the latter. In this case, however, I think it is purely timing that makes it appear a conspiracy.

alakaboo's picture
alakaboo's picture
alakaboo Friday, 20 May 2011 at 3:29am

Was merely fanning the flames, Stu.
Though I'm with Craig, what does an extra month achieve? Unless they asked for an extra 6 and only got 1.
What did the original delay achieve? Assuming that the reasons given for the granting of the injunction are valid, what would make them become invalid at any point in the future?

Despite daily evidence to the contrary, I'd like to think that most surfers (and people in general) are intelligent enough to be able to draw the distinction between the personal demons of an individual and the brand they are sponsored by.

And despite the reporting of his death in widespread media, who may not be interested in the follow-up story, does anyone outside the surf community actually care?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Sunday, 22 May 2011 at 8:41am

The Irons family has released an official statement regarding the delay in the release of Andy Irons autopsy report:

Contrary to what was stated in a May 19th email sent out by Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Ashley Fourt to members of the media, the Irons family did not request the extension of a motion to block the release of the autopsy results for Andy Irons due to be released by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner today.

A lawyer in Dallas, operating without authorization from the family, made a unilateral decision to request a delay on behalf of the family as a way to provide sufficient time for the 10-page toxicology report to be translated into laymen’s terms and prevent the risk of its being misconstrued or misunderstood. Additionally, his intentions were to provide the family a moment to accept the final cause of Andy’s death.

Unfortunately, this delay has now caused a firestorm of media speculation about the intentions of Andy’s family. We would like the media and public to know that we have been anticipating the results for six months and were prepared to greet the release of this information with honesty and forthrightness.

We would also like to address two quotes attributed to Andy’s wife Lyndie that were recycled from six months ago and reprinted in a story today on OutsideOnline as if they were current. Firstly, Mrs. Irons has long regretted her previous remark about the truth “tarnishing Andy’s brand,” which she attributes to her confusion and grief at the time of learning of her husband’s passing. Secondly, Mrs. Irons’ quote that she believes the autopsy results will “contradict the rumors [of] a drug overdose” does not reflect Lyndie Irons’ or the family’s beliefs today. We know that Andy’s life and death were tainted by drugs and are ready to accept the Medical Examiner’s findings.

The family has been prepared to finally learn the cause of Andy’s death and is saddened and angered to wait longer, as it was not by our choice or design. We would also like the media and public to know that Andy’s sponsors, including Billabong, have played no part in this extension and are not trying to protect Andy’s image or earnings in any way, and we hope that these inaccurate claims will cease.

The family is still anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology report and will comment further, and with all due honesty, once it is provided to us.

–The Irons Family

donweather's picture
donweather's picture
donweather Sunday, 22 May 2011 at 8:47am

I thought the previous injunction to withhold publishing the toxicology results was to withhold releasing it to the media and general public. Surely the Irons family received the toxicology results 6 months ago when they requested the injunction.

meaks's picture
meaks's picture
meaks Sunday, 22 May 2011 at 11:10pm

In the end, getting and hearing the results of the report won't change anything about passing of AI. It is still such a sad loss and obviously the Irons Family are still grieving this on a daily basis.

ballbagmanifesto's picture
ballbagmanifesto's picture
ballbagmanifesto Sunday, 22 May 2011 at 11:41pm

It is inconceivable that any information whatsoever would be for any reason whatsoever, withheld from the family. The above quote is either an outright lie or poorly judged from the family (understandably in this horrific time for them). He died of a drug overdose. We all know it; and nobody worth a damn is judging Andy, his family or his sponsors for this. Its life. And its none of your business.

seawolf's picture
seawolf's picture
seawolf Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at 10:15pm

whisperers and gossiper's field day RIP ANDY release the fact's