Governor right to sign bill to prevent photos from death investigations from going public

The media would usually oppose any move that restricts its ability to publish stories and photos. That is the very essence of journalism. If the government wanted to limit what we could publish and pass laws doing just that, the media would traditionally rise up in protest and insist we are the eyes and ears of the people. 

In such a situation, the media would trot out the transparency argument, that the people have the right to know, which we have done ourselves.

But in the case of Gov. Brad Little signing Senate Bill 1250, which unanimously passed the House and Senate, and prevents photos from death investigations from being publicly released, we will not file a protest.

We believe this is just common sense and respect.

This legislation addresses a painful truth: photographs taken at death scenes or during autopsies can inflict profound and lasting harm on grieving families when released to the public. These images capture the most vulnerable moment of a person’s life — and for loved ones, the worst moment of theirs. No amount of public curiosity justifies turning private tragedy into public spectacle.

The need for this change has been evident for years. As reported by the Idaho Capital Sun, a watchdog report by the Office of Performance Evaluations found in 2023 that Idaho law did not clearly prevent coroners from sharing all materials gathered during death investigations, including photographs. That legal gap left families exposed to the possibility that graphic or intimate images of their loved ones could become public records, accessible to anyone with a request.

In today’s digital world, that risk is magnified. Families risk reliving their loss every time those images resurface online.

The courage of families who spoke up made this issue impossible to ignore. The Goncalves family, who lost Kaylee Goncalves in the 2022 quadruple murder in Moscow, lent their voices to this effort. So did Allen Hodges, who testified about the fear that nude photographs of his deceased daughter — taken as part of an investigation—could one day become public. 

These parents were not seeking secrecy or special treatment. They were asking for basic decency. That is the least we can do for them.

As Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow put it, “There’s no one that needs to see the photo or image of somebody who has passed away.” We agree.

Written reports, evidence logs, and investigative findings already provide the public with what it needs to understand how a death occurred and how authorities responded. Death-scene photographs rarely add clarity for the average citizen, but they can add immeasurable pain for families.

Importantly, Senate Bill 1250 does not weaken transparency where it matters most. Law enforcement agencies and coroners remain accountable. Investigative conclusions remain public. 

The law also strikes a fair balance by allowing photographs to be released to next of kin once investigations and all related criminal or civil proceedings are complete. This respects the rights of families while preserving the integrity of the justice system.

While some may argue that SB 1250 is an affront to the freedom of the press, we see it as a matter of responsible journalism. 

Gov. Little and the Legislature have taken a correct course here. They are doing their best to see that grieving families do not relive a painful time in their lives.