Hackman Estate Seeks Court Order to Seal Death Investigation Records

The estate of actor Gene Hackman is seeking to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigative records related to his and his wife Betsy Arakawa's recent deaths, citing privacy concerns under the 14th Amendment. Hackman, who died at 95 from heart disease and complications from Alzheimer's, and Arakawa, who passed at 65 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, were found in their New Mexico home in late February. Julia Peters, representing the estate, emphasized the potentially shocking nature of the materials, including photographs and police body-camera footage, and the couple's desire for privacy after living a discreet life in Santa Fe for over three decades. New Mexico's open records law is noted to protect sensitive images of deceased individuals, and some medical records may not be public. The couple's bodies were discovered on February 26, after Hackman's pacemaker indicated he likely died on February 18, leading to ongoing investigations. The request for sealing the records reflects both a personal grief and a concern for public health regarding the hantavirus involved.