U.S. Court Halts Release of Records in Gene Hackman Death Investigation

A New Mexico court has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the release of records related to the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The order, granted on Monday, follows a request by Julia Peters, the couple’s estate representative, who argued for privacy under the 14th Amendment.

Peters cited the sensitive nature of photographs and videos from the investigation, expressing concern over their potential media dissemination. A hearing later this month will determine whether the records should remain sealed.

For now, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office and the Office of the Medical Investigator are prohibited from releasing photographs and videos of the couple’s bodies or home interior, autopsy reports, and death investigation reports.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home in late February. Authorities confirmed that Hackman, 94, died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s, about a week after his wife succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne disease.

The couple valued their privacy, taking active steps to safeguard it even after moving to Santa Fe, known as a celebrity refuge. Their estate's legal filings emphasise the family’s right to grieve in peace.

New Mexico law restricts public access to sensitive images and medical information, but death investigations and autopsy reports are generally considered public records to uphold government transparency.

Hackman’s 2005 will left his estate to Arakawa, and vice versa. With both deceased, Peters now manages the estate. A request is pending to appoint a trustee to oversee their assets and trusts, though beneficiaries remain undisclosed.