Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa death records will not be released publicly after family argues ‘grotesque’ photos can cause trauma

On Monday, March 31, District Judge Matthew J Wilson gave a new ruling around the public release of the death records of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.

The New Mexico judge directed authorities not to disclose any video or photographs publicly that showed the deceased bodies of the couple. The ruling came after a temporary restraining order was in place that prohibited the public release of investigative records around the recent deaths of Gene and Betsy after a request from Hackman’s estate.

Julia Peters, who represented the estate, had previously urged the Santa Fe court to seal the records. Attorney Kurt Sommer argued on Monday that the public disclosure of videos and photos from Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's residence might breach the deceased couple's privacy, who he claimed "took great pains to stay out of the public light."

He also addressed the grotesque images and other investigative documents/records and added,

"There is no limit to the trauma that could cause my clients for years to come with that information, as the media publicist already testified to, would likely show up on the internet or in podcasts etc."

Judge Wilson ruled,

“The court preliminarily enjoins respondents from publicly producing – through the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act or other means – any photographic or visual depiction of the deceased bodies of Mr Gene Hackman or Miss Betsy Arakawa-Hackman in any format whatsoever including any investigatory photographs, lapel camera footage, or autopsy photographs.”

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The Santa Fe court allowed the public disclosure of other investigative records around Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths

The court denied the preliminary injunction, which was previously in place after an appeal from Hackman’s estate. The temporary stay on other records was removed, and the judge approved the release of different records, such as autopsy and toxicology reports.

Judge Wilson also granted the publication of visual depictions inside the house or of a deceased animal. The judge clarified that any blurred-out depictions of the body are not enjoined from public release,

“[Production of a video in which the body had been blurred] that would be consistent with the court's order.”

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Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died almost a week apart at their Santa Fe home

The French Connection actor and his classical pianist wife had been living in a Santa Fe gated community for decades, where they were found dead in February. One of the couple's dogs was also found deceased at their home while the authorities commenced their investigation. Police ruled out any foul play and initially suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, a theory which was rejected later.

On March 7, the investigators held a press conference providing more details based on the preliminary autopsy report. The authorities revealed that Betsy Arawaka died because of Hantavirus, while Gene Hackman’s death was caused by the complications of advanced Alzheimer's and kidney disease.

The investigators also revealed that Arawaka was last heard on February 12, when she contacted a local clinic for an appointment. It is suspected that she died shortly afterward, but her husband was still alive.

He reportedly passed away on February 18, per an abnormal rhythm recorded by his pacemaker. Medical experts told the BBC that Hackman’s health condition might have been the reason why he didn’t report his wife’s death.

Recently, Fox News Digital obtained body-cam footage of an interview with Betsy Arakawa’s hair stylist. In the video, the hairdresser, identified as Christopher, revealed that his client and her husband were allegedly followed by an unknown person months before their deaths.

He claimed that Betsy had told him about the apparent stalker, who was seemingly Gene Hackman’s fan, in December of last year.