Gene Hackman’s Estate Asks Court To Block Release Of Autopsy Reports, Police Photos

Gene Hackman’s estate has petitioned the court to block the release of autopsy reports, photographs, and police body-cam video captured at his home.

The partially mummified bodies of the 95-year-old actor and his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered at their New Mexico property late last month. It was determined that both Hackman and his wife had been deceased for a while before they were discovered.

Julia Peters, a representative for the estate of Hackman and Arakawa, urged a state district court in Santa Fe to seal records to protect the family’s right to privacy in grief under the 14th amendment, as The Guardian noted. Peters cited the potentially graphic nature of the images and video taken by responding officers, which would be widely circulated online if it became available to the media.

The petition noted that Hackman and Arakawa preferred a private life. It said the couple “lived an exemplary private life for over 30 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and did not showcase their lifestyle.”

Attorney Kurt Sommer wrote in the petition that if the images are released, “the bell cannot be unrung.” 

The manner of death became public last week as it was revealed that Arakawa died from hantavirus, a flu-like illness spread mainly by rodent feces. She is believed to have died around February 11. Hackman, who was said to have had advanced Alzheimer’s disease and relied on his wife as his caretaker, died about one week later. 

The last activity recorded by Hackman’s pacemaker was on February 18, which is when the device noted an “abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation.” His autopsy showed “severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.”

There is speculation that the actor may not have realized his wife had died.

There have also been conversations about what will happen to Hackman’s $80 million fortune as none of his three children are mentioned in his will. His wife Arakawa was named as the sole recipient of the money in 1995. The couple did not have a prenup.

Hackman has three children: Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth. TMZ reported that Christopher has retained a prominent California trust and estate attorney. If the money does not go to Hackman’s descendants, the will stipulates that it will go to charity.