A New Mexico court is weighing whether to block the disclosure of an array of records from an investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at the request of the couple’s estate.
Santa Fe-based Judge Matthew Wilson issued the decision at a court hearing Monday. He said autopsy and investigative reports that do not show the couple’s bodies can be released.
A representative for the Hackman family estate urged the court to block release of the records to protect the family’s privacy. Authorities say Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Arakawa died from a rare, rodent-borne disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
SANTA FE, N.M. A New Mexico court is weighing whether to block the disclosure of an array of records from an investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at the request of the couple’s estate.
Santa Fe-based Judge Matthew Wilson was holding a hearing Monday to consider a request from attorneys for the estate to seal photos, video and documents to protect the family’s privacy. The court put a temporary hold on the release of records pending the hearing.
The partially mummified remains of Hackman and Arakawa were found in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26, when maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police. Authorities have confirmed Hackman, 95, died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease about a week after his wife’s death.
