The family of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau is fighting to keep the video of her horrific death last month at the hands of Tilikum the killer whale from seeing the light of day.
Brancheau's family along with the Orlando attraction are meeting with lawyers to block the release of the park's tapes of the Feb. 24 killing, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Brancheau, 40, was dragged underwater and drowned by the 12,000-pound Tilikum shortly after a show and in front of several park guests who were still in the audience.
"Use of this video will do nothing more than further sensationalize a tragic event and traumatize our family," Brancheau family spokesman Charles LoVerde said in a statement. "Some members of the news media have shown restraint and sensitivity during this difficult time, but many others have not. The conduct of some members of the press has been disgraceful. Our family has a right to heal in private, and we once again appeal to the media to recognize the terrible pain we are experiencing and give us a small measure of respect and privacy."
The tapes were handed over to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, but will become public once their investigation is concluded.
Meanwhile, the park is still trying to figure out what to do with Tilikum.
The 6-ton whale has spent the two weeks since the tragedy in a tank, not participating in shows, with no trainers joining him in the water.
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SeaWorld said this morning that they're reconsidering whether to return him to its live shows, reversing an earlier statement that said he would be performing again, according to the Sentinel.
The park is waiting on a safety review before it resumes in-water whale training.
