ORLANDO, Fla. – A medical examiner in Florida said Thursday that comedian Bob Saget died from an accidental blow to the head, likely from “an unwitnessed fall.”
Saget was found dead Jan. 9 in a Central Florida hotel room. Saget’s last performance before his death was in Northeast Florida.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 166 Americans die from traumatic brain injury-related events every day.
Dr. Stephen Scibelli, a neurologist with Memorial Hospital, said he has seen similar situations in Jacksonville.
“We see patients that have similar stories where they thought it was a minor injury and then present to us in extreme condition and need immediate intervention at times. Most of the time such injuries don’t require a surgical intervention. But there are many types of traumatic brain injuries that can happen from a fall or blow to the head that initially may seem less critical than your medical professional may realize,” Scibelli said during an interview Thursday on “The Morning Show.”
Scibelli said to seek medical care after a blow to the head if there are signs like:
- Disorientation and confusion
- Blank stare
- Facial droop
“So a concussion is a minor form of a traumatic brain injury, and there’s several grades to it, really three primary grades, but there are many other injuries that can happen, and some of those have what we call a lucid interval where the person has an injury to their head, and they seem perfectly fine for a period of time, and then they can have a sudden deterioration,” Scibelli said.
A toxicology analysis didn’t show any illicit drugs or toxins in Saget’s body, said a statement from Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany in Orlando.
“His injuries were most likely incurred from an unwitnessed fall," the statement said. “The manner of death is accident."
The medical examiner’s conclusion was first announced by Saget’s family on Wednesday.
“The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma,” their statement said. “They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved.”
The 65-year-old entertainer was found on his hotel bed at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando. A hotel security officer entered the room after Saget failed to check out, and called 911. There were no signs of foul play, authorities said last month.
Best known for his role as beloved single dad Danny Tanner on the sitcom “Full House” and as the wisecracking host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” Saget was married to Kelly Rizzo Saget and had three daughters from a previous marriage.
Saget was on the road as part of his “I Don’t Do Negative Comedy Tour” and said just before his death that he enjoyed warm audience receptions in Orlando and the Ponte Vedra Beach resort area.
“I’m back in comedy like I was when I was 26. I guess I’m finding my new voice and loving every moment of it,” he’d posted on Instagram.
Saget’s death prompted an outpouring of affection from fans and colleagues, who recalled him as both funny and extraordinarily kind. His family said they were overwhelmed and comforted by “the incredible outpouring of love from Bob’s fans.”
“As we continue to mourn together, we ask everyone to remember the love and laughter that Bob brought to this world, and the lessons he taught us all: to be kind to everyone, to let the people you love know you love them, and to face difficult times with hugs and laughter,” his family said.