A temporary restraining order was issued by a court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Monday to prevent the dissemination of certain records linked to the investigation of the recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The decision came after Julia Peters, the representative of the couple’s estate, submitted a motion requesting that these records be sealed. Peters argued that this action was necessary to uphold the family’s constitutional right to privacy in mourning, as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
She highlighted the potentially disturbing nature of photographs and videos involved in the investigation and their possible spread by the media. A legal hearing has been set for later this month to evaluate the validity of the sealing request. Until then, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the state Office of the Medical Investigator are prohibited from releasing photographs or videos showing the couple’s remains or the interior of their home, as well as autopsy and death investigation reports.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe residence in late February. Officials have verified that Hackman succumbed to heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease, approximately a week after his wife died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is a rare disease transmitted by rodents. The request to keep records sealed highlights that the couple had long prioritized their privacy and took proactive steps to protect it throughout their lives, including during Hackman’s retirement after moving to Santa Fe—a city often seen as a sanctuary for celebrities, artists, and writers.
Legal documents emphasize the desire to continue protecting the Hackmans’ privacy following their deaths, supporting the family’s right to mourn quietly. Although New Mexico’s open records law restricts public access to sensitive images, including those of deceased individuals, most death investigations by law enforcement and autopsy reports are generally regarded as public records, promoting transparency and accountability by the government.
The couple’s estate proceedings might include privacy considerations. Probate court documents filed earlier in the month indicate Hackman amended his will in 2005 to leave his estate to his wife, while Arakawa’s will bequeathed her estate to him should she predecease him. With both passing away, Peters, an attorney and trust manager based in Santa Fe, is responsible for managing the estate. A request is underway to assign a trustee to oversee assets tied to two trusts within the estate. Without access to the trust documents, it remains unclear who the beneficiaries are or how the assets will be allocated.
Estate planning attorneys in New Mexico suggest that more details might emerge if disputes arise regarding the assets, although they anticipate that confidentiality would likely be a priority, with involved parties possibly seeking a court seal on such documents to maintain privacy.
