A New Mexico court recently ruled to block the release of public records concerning the late Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. However, the court did allow the release of investigative materials that do not include any depictions of the couple’s bodies.
This decision was made by Judge Matthew Wilson, based in Santa Fe, who opened the door for materials such as redacted police body camera footage and images of Hackman’s deceased dog, while ensuring that the images of the Oscar-winning actor and his wife of 30 years remain private. This ruling aligns with the wishes of the surviving family members.
Judge Wilson placed a temporary hold on the records pending a hearing after a representative for the Hackman family estate requested that all photos, videos, and documents be sealed to safeguard the family’s privacy.
“There shall be no depiction of either body in any video production or photographic image of the bodies,” Judge Wilson stated, addressing inquiries from attorneys regarding his ruling, according to AP reporting.
Regarding further injunctions from the family, Judge Wilson emphasized, “Injunctions are a harsh and drastic remedy, which should issue only in extreme cases of pressing necessity. It is not enough that the party seeking injunctive relief merely claim irreparable harm.”
The mummified remains of Hackman, aged 95, and Arakawa, aged 65, were discovered in their home on February 26. Following an autopsy, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator confirmed that Arakawa succumbed to rodent-borne hantavirus shortly before Hackman passed away from cardiovascular disease and advanced Alzheimer’s.
The Public Records Act in New Mexico prohibits the release of any law enforcement records that include a “visual depiction of a dead body.” There is also contention that medical information does not fall under public records as per this act.
Julia Peters, representing the Hackman family estate, conveyed that the disturbing nature of the photos could lead to widespread media circulation if they were to be released. The estate also sought to prevent the disclosure of autopsy records conducted by the Office of the Medical Investigator and the death investigation reports from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
During the hearing, estate attorney Kurt Sommer argued that Hackman and Arakawa relocated to Santa Fe to avoid public scrutiny and had dedicated their lives to maintaining privacy, hence their estate should be afforded the same respect after their deaths.
Generally, death investigations and autopsy reports are considered public records under state law, primarily to uphold government transparency and accountability.
Hackman is survived by three children from a previous marriage, while Arakawa had no children. The issue of privacy is likely to recur as the couple’s estate is settled.
A request has been made for the appointment of a trustee to manage assets in two trusts associated with the estate. As the documents are not publicly available, it remains unclear who the beneficiaries are or how the division of assets will be handled. Should disputes arise over the estate, it is probable that involved parties will seek a court order to seal the documents.
The post Gene Hackman Death: Judge Blocks Release of Public Records Showing Decomposing Bodies of Actor and Wife appeared first on TheWrap.
