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CBS has chosen not to reverse their decision to fire David Del Rio from Matlock after reopening an investigation into allegations of sexual assault.
The network’s supplemental investigation concluded with CBS standing by their original decision to dismiss Del Rio, 38, from the show. Entertainment Weekly confirmed on Friday, February 20, that the investigation has been completed, with the network declining to comment on the matter due to a company policy of not addressing legal matters.
Del Rio, for his part, has yet to speak out after he departed the show in October 2025. News broke at the time about an alleged incident involving David and his then-costar Leah Lewis, which took place one month prior. Del Rio was “fired and escorted off the lot the same day the alleged assault was reported,” according to reports released at the time.
Lewis, 29, broke her silence at the time by sharing a photo with her mother from set.
“Mom is here, we’re moving forward in love and strength. I’m in good hands,” she wrote via Instagram. “Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, we’re moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Please, let that be the take away.”
David’s wife, Katherine Del Rio, posted her own Instagram Stories calling Lewis a “disturbing human being” before deleting them hours later. Us Weekly subsequently confirmed in December 2025 that CBS reopened its investigation into the incident.
“David has provided evidence, including text messages between David and Leah and names of witnesses who are willing to talk,” a source exclusively told Us in January. “In light of the evidence, the investigation was reopened.”
The insider claimed David had “evidence and witnesses that he believes could disprove Leah’s allegation,” adding, “David’s team believes he was fired without appropriate due process or a proper investigation.”
On screen, David’s character, Billy, was already written off when he told Sarah (Lewis) about his girlfriend suffering a miscarriage. The actor hadn’t filmed any new scenes since then, so he won’t appear in the second half of the season when it returns on Thursday, February 26.
David previously spoke to Us in May 2025 about the show committing to the paternity twist involving Billy and his ex. “I’m really excited to see how Billy handles the work balance with the personal balance of it all,” he shared before the season 2 premiere.
Lewis also weighed in on what was awaiting Sarah in season 2 during the joint interview.
“I remember reading the finale and hoping at the end that Sarah was going to get away scot-free with this wonderful victory. Of course the thing happens with Simone and she might need to take accountability,” Lewis hinted. “To be honest, this is where we really get to see if Sarah can step up to the plate for the thing that she has been begging for, asking for and working so hard for. You want to get treated like a big dog. We’ll start acting like a big dog. I feel like this season we’ll definitely probably get to see her mature a bit more on that aspect. Her professional win is not over yet.”
Matlock returns to CBS Thursday, February 26, at 9 p.m. ET.
