Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s death video and medical records sealed by New Mexico judge

Actor, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their apartment last month. Their sudden passing left their fans in shock. While the disturbing pictures and videos from their apartment were being shared online, a New Mexico judge has now ordered to seal them.

On February 26, the Oscar-winning actor and his wife were discovered dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The gruesome police videos and photos showed the couple and one of their dogs in the apartment. Previously, disturbing footage of the bodies of celebrities has been circulated on the internet for days. However, Judge Matthew Wilson prevented the same from happening in the case of the legendary actor.

According to Deadline, Julia Peters from the Hackman estate filed a plea to respect the late couple's constitutional rights and private life. On March 17, the judge ordered that the photos and clips featuring Hackman's home must be kept away from the public.

His order mentioned that the Santa Fe Sheriff's office and the Office of the Medical Investigator are restrained from disclosing the footage that contains the bodies of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, the interior of the late couple's residence, any footage that features their bodies, and any footage that contains the pictures of deceased animals at their residence. The autopsy or death investigation reports can also not be disclosed to the public eye.

Following Wilson's order, a hearing is scheduled in his court for March 31. During the hearing, the police and the University of New Mexico will argue why this footage shouldn't be permanently kept away from the public eye. The reason behind this argument is believed to be Betsy Arakawa's cause of death. Arakawa allegedly died of Hantavirus and it is a public health and safety concern.

Usually, in New Mexico, images and videos of dead bodies in such cases are kept under wraps.

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When did Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa die?

Gene Hackman is assumed to have died on February 18. However, his wife, Besty Arakawa, reportedly died about a week before him. Hackman was 95 years old at the time of his passing. New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Heather Jarrel, revealed that Gene Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. His Alzheimer's disease also contributed to his passing. As per Deadline, Jarrel mentioned:

"The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor."

"Autopsy examination and a full-body post-mortem CT examination demonstrated no acute findings of internal or external trauma, and 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," Jarrel added.

On the other hand, Arakawa was reported to have died on February 11. However, it has now been found that she called Cloudberry Health on the morning of February 12. According to Good Morning America, she made the call to inquire about an esoteric treatment. Moreover, no breathing issues or distress were indicated over the call.

Arakawa reportedly died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a disease spread through rodent feces. It is believed she contracted it from exposure to rats or mice droppings.