Andy Irons family release statement over toxicology report

BY TIMBO | MAY 24 2011 | 1

Andy and Lyndie Irons. Pic: ASP

Here's the family's statement in full, as released to the media in recent days:

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