Widow Says Irwin Death Tape Destroyed

[TalonRider]

In this undated handout photo released by the Australia Zoo, the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, ...

Widow Says Irwin Death Tape Destroyed

By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - All footage of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's death has been destroyed, his widow said.

Terri Irwin told TV's "Access Hollywood" in an interview airing this week that the tape was destroyed when it was no longer needed for the investigation into his death.

"There's standard protocols for examining certain evidence and that's no longer necessary, so we're very proud that Steve's last documentary is going to air and that's his last footage with wildlife," she said.

Steve Irwin died Sept. 4 in Australia after a stingray's tail pierced his chest while he was shooting two projects, including "Ocean's Deadliest" for the Discovery Channel.

Queensland, Australia, state Coroner Michael Barnes said last week that the original tape was returned to Terri Irwin, and all copies had been destroyed.

When asked by "Access Hollywood" about reports that she kept that tape, she responded, "Oh no, all footage has been destroyed."

Steve Irwin's manager, John Stainton, said Saturday that the completed "Ocean's Deadliest" minus footage from the day Irwin was killed would be screened in the United States on Jan. 21.