Judge blocks death records to protect Hackman family privacy


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A New Mexico judge issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, preventing the release of specific investigative records concerning the deaths of renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

The order came after Julia Peters, representing the couple’s estate, filed a motion seeking to protect the family’s constitutional right to grieve privately under the Fourteenth Amendment. Peters expressed particular concern about sensitive photographs and video footage that could potentially be distributed by media outlets.

The matter will be further discussed at an upcoming hearing later this month. Until then, both the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the state Office of the Medical Investigator are prohibited from releasing any photographs or videos showing the deceased couple or their home’s interior, as well as autopsy and death investigation reports.

The couple was discovered deceased in their Santa Fe residence in late February. Officials have determined that Hackman’s death resulted from heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s disease, while his wife succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted by rodents, approximately a week earlier.

In the motion to seal records, it was noted that the Hackmans consistently prioritized their privacy throughout their lives, particularly after relocating to Santa Fe following Hackman’s retirement. The New Mexico capital has long served as a sanctuary for celebrities, artists, and writers seeking privacy.

“The personal representative seeks to continue to preserve the privacy of the Hackmans following their tragic death and support the family’s constitutional right to remembrance and desire to grieve in peace,” the document stated.

While New Mexico’s open records legislation restricts public access to sensitive images, including those of deceased individuals, and certain medical information remains private under state law, most death investigation and autopsy reports are typically considered public record to ensure governmental transparency.

The privacy concerns extend to the settlement of the couple’s estate. Recent probate court filings reveal that both Hackman and his wife updated their wills in 2005, each leaving their estate to the other. With both now deceased, Peters, a Santa Fe attorney and trust manager, oversees the estate administration.

A pending request seeks to appoint a trustee for managing assets in two estate-related trusts. The beneficiaries and asset distribution details remain undisclosed as trust documents are not public record.

New Mexico estate planning specialists suggest that additional details might emerge if legal disputes arise over the assets, though they expect any such proceedings would likely be sealed to maintain privacy.

 

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