Santa Fe, New Mexico – The estate of Hollywood legend, Gene Hackman, is currently embroiled in a legal battle to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigative reports surrounding the deaths of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The couple’s partially mummified bodies were discovered in their Santa Fe home last month, prompting authorities to piece together the events leading to their demise.
Hackman, aged 95, succumbed to heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s disease, following the death of his 65-year-old wife from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The discovery of their bodies on February 26 raised questions about the timeline of events leading up to their deaths, sparking a mystery for law enforcement and medical examiners to unravel.
A representative for the estate, Julia Peters, has petitioned a state district court in Santa Fe to seal records related to the case, citing the family’s right to privacy in times of grief under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Emphasizing the potentially distressing nature of photographs and video evidence, Peters seeks to shield the family from unwanted scrutiny.
The couple’s discreet lifestyle in Santa Fe, where they resided for over thirty years, further complicates the matter. Known as a haven for celebrities and artists, Santa Fe has long been a sanctuary for those seeking solitude and anonymity. Peters’ argument hinges on protecting the couple’s privacy, which she claims they fiercely guarded throughout their time in the New Mexico capital.
While New Mexico’s open records law may restrict public access to certain images and medical information, legal experts caution against completely sealing off vital information related to death investigations. Amanda Lavin, legal director at the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in such cases, especially when public health concerns are involved.
The involvement of hantavirus in the couple’s deaths adds another layer of complexity to the situation, raising awareness about potential health risks. Hackman, known for his illustrious career in Hollywood, and Arakawa, a former concert pianist, had led a private life away from the spotlight, making their sudden deaths all the more shocking to the public.
As the legal battle unfolds in Santa Fe, the delicate balance between privacy rights and transparency in death investigations hangs in the balance. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future, shedding light on the intricacies of privacy laws in the digital age.