A New Mexico judge has approved the public release of investigative records in the death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, but blocked the release of certain video and photos captured by law enforcement. The decision comes after the Hackman family estate filed a court petition to prevent state officials from releasing images of their bodies.
The couple, who were married for 21 years, died in February of natural causes, according to the New Mexico medical investigator’s office. The family’s attorney argued that releasing sheriff’s department video and photos would violate their privacy, citing the couple’s efforts to stay out of the public eye in their later years.
Media outlets, including CBS News and the Associated Press, had petitioned the court to permit the release of these items under New Mexico’s public records transparency laws. The judge ultimately ruled that sensitive images could be blurred before disclosure by state authorities.
The ruling does not restrict the release of an autopsy report, except for any photographs related to the examination. Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were a renowned couple in the classical music world, with Arakawa being a former classical pianist.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/31/entertainment/gene-hackman-death-images-blocked-judge/index.html