In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the estate of the late actor Gene Hackman is trying to prevent the public release of sensitive materials related to the recent deaths of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Found in their home in a partially mummified state, the couple’s deaths have sparked a legal battle over the dissemination of autopsy and investigation reports, including photographs and police body-camera footage. Authorities have disclosed that Hackman, who was 95, died from heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s, while his 65-year-old wife succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted by rodents.
The exact timeline of their deaths was pieced together with information that Hackman’s pacemaker recorded abnormal activity on February 18, around the time he likely passed. Their bodies were not discovered until February 26, when maintenance workers stumbled upon the scene and notified law enforcement. The late discovery of their bodies has added an element of mystery, prompting an in-depth investigation by police and medical professionals.
Julia Peters, representing the couple’s estate, has filed a petition in the Santa Fe district court to seal these records, citing the family’s right to privacy in their time of grief, as provided under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The petition highlights the potential trauma that could be induced by the release of shocking images and videos, urging the court to consider the couple’s historically private lifestyle in Santa Fe. Known for being a retreat for artists and celebrities, Santa Fe was the couple’s home for over three decades.
New Mexico law offers some protection against public access to certain sensitive images, particularly those involving deceased individuals. Yet, the state’s open records laws do classify most death investigations and autopsies as public records, intended to uphold governmental transparency. Amanda Lavin of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government emphasized this point, warning that restricting access to such records could inhibit public insight into investigative accountability.
Lavin also pointed to a secondary public health concern due to the involvement of hantavirus, which may necessitate a public understanding of how the disease may have contributed to the events. She called the family’s request to block the release of government records on constitutional grounds an unusual legal move.
The couple lived a quiet and private life in Santa Fe following Hackman’s illustrious acting career, during which he received two Academy Awards. Arakawa, originally from Hawaii, was accomplished as a concert pianist and met Hackman while working at a California gym during the mid-1980s. This case continues to raise questions about where privacy intersects with the public’s right to information.
