The estate of legendary actor Gene Hackman is moving to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigative records, including photographs and police body-camera footage, following the discovery of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their New Mexico home in February.
Authorities confirmed that Hackman, 95, died from heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s, approximately a week after his 65-year-old wife succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne disease. His pacemaker last registered activity on February 18, while their bodies were not found until February 26 by maintenance and security personnel, raising questions for investigators.
Julia Peters, representing the Hackman estate, has petitioned a Santa Fe district court to seal the case records, citing the family’s right to privacy under the 14th Amendment. She emphasized the potential distressing nature of the images and videos and the likelihood of their dissemination by media outlets. The couple had maintained a private life in Santa Fe for over 30 years.
New Mexico law restricts public access to sensitive images of deceased individuals, though most death investigation and autopsy reports are typically considered public records to ensure government transparency. Amanda Lavin, legal director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, acknowledged the legal complexities, noting that restricting records could impact public accountability. She also pointed out the public health implications given the involvement of hantavirus.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was known for iconic roles in The French Connection, Hoosiers, and Superman before retiring in the early 2000s. Arakawa, originally from Hawaii, was a trained concert pianist who met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.
Source: Swifteradio.com
