Michael Schiavo Keeps Secret Files About Terri Schiavo Sealed, What is He Hiding?

March 31 marked the 20th anniversary of the passing of my sister Terri Schiavo. Her death concluded our family’s 13-year battle to preserve her life from attempts by Michael Schiavo, Terri’s estranged husband and legal guardian, to put her to death using and abusing our judicial system.

Tragically, on March 18, 2005, Judge George W. Greer, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, ordered the removal of Terri’s feeding tube, beginning nearly two agonizing weeks of suffering as she slowly succumbed to severe dehydration. The state and federal courts conveniently overlooked that Michael had once promised lifelong therapies for Terri and received nearly a million dollars from a medical malpractice settlement to fund her ongoing care and support.

Michael’s suspicious activity began when he entered a relationship with another woman and, in 1998, petitioned Judge Greer for permission to end Terri’s life—fully aware that this decision would allow him to marry his new girlfriend and inherit the remaining medical trust funds.

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Despite the international attention Terri’s case received at the time, the media failed to report that almost immediately after her death, Michael petitioned the court to seal portions of Terri’s guardianship records. My family found it highly questionable that Michael filed this motion so soon after her passing.

In March 2024, a Motion to Intervene and Motion to Unseal Guardianship Records was submitted to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County, Florida, requesting that these guardianship records be made public. Michael’s attorney immediately announced their intention to contest the motion.

The motion was filed by David Gibbs of the Gibbs Law Firm on behalf of my family and the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, the nonprofit organization we established in response to Terri’s death.

On October 29, 2024, Judge Sherwood S. Coleman, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, presided over the motion hearing. Although I hoped the court was taking the matter seriously, in February, Judge Coleman ruled in favor of Michael on procedural grounds only, keeping the files sealed.

These records, which have been withheld from public scrutiny for two decades, may contain information that could alter the historical record of Terri’s case. Michael, who initiated the guardianship proceedings that ultimately resulted in my sister’s unjust death, vehemently opposes their release.

We plan to appeal this decision because the public has a right—under both the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution—to access and inspect court records. Twenty years after Terri’s death, there is no valid reason for these files to remain sealed.

The Terri Schiavo Archive, established in 2016 at Ave Maria University’s Canizaro Library in Ave Maria, Florida, houses a wealth of materials related to the case, including legal documents, court filings, letters, and artifacts generously contributed by supporters. While many records from the case are available to researchers, crucial documents relating to Michael’s guardianship of Terri remain sealed—documents that could reveal the full truth or even change the historical narrative.

Curiously, Michael continues to fight to keep these records hidden—the very same records he requested to be sealed the moment Terri died. His actions raise obvious questions.

Why? What is being concealed? If these documents contain nothing significant, why fight so hard to keep them from public view 20 years later?

The public’s right to transparency in cases involving life, death, and legal guardianship cannot be overstated. Terri’s case was not just a personal tragedy for my family—it was a pivotal moment in the broader conversation about patient rights, the sanctity of life, and the integrity of our legal system.

The case ignited international discussions on the rights of the disabled, euthanasia, due process, and other pressing issues of public concern. Ensuring that the complete archived record is accessible is essential for continued discourse on these topics.

Yet, this has become much more than a controversy over some dusty old documents contained in court records. It is now a fight for our fundamental constitutional rights. The Florida Constitution is unequivocal in granting public access to court documents. Section 24(a) of Article 1 explicitly states:

“Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf, except concerning records exempted pursuant to this section or specifically made confidential by this Constitution. This section specifically includes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and each agency or department created thereunder; counties, municipalities, and districts; and each constitutional officer, board, commission, or entity created under law or this Constitution.”

There is also a clear-cut right under the First Amendment to access court documents. Federal courts have consistently ruled that the public has a right to inspect most records produced by any court in the nation.

This decision to keep the Schiavo guardianship records sealed is an unconstitutional restraint on our rights. After two decades, there is no compelling reason for these documents to remain hidden. The case is of public interest—not only to our family but also to researchers, journalists, and concerned citizens. Furthermore, after so much time has passed, any expectation of privacy related to these files has significantly diminished. It is time for the truth to be fully revealed.

Regardless of where you stand on the underlying issues, this case affects everyone who values the First Amendment, government transparency, and civil rights. No single judge in Florida should have the power to trample on our constitutional rights. We intend to continue the fight—even if this battle leads us to the Florida Supreme Court.

The motion to unseal these records is about more than just my sister’s case. It is about ensuring that the truth is exposed, justice is served, and the public can make informed decisions based on all available facts. We hope the court will prioritize transparency and allow full disclosure of Terri’s guardianship records.

LifeNews Note: Bobby Schindler and his family established the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network to serve as patient advocates. For more information about the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, visit lifeandhope.com. To learn more about Terri Schiavo, go to TerriSchiavo.org.

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