Judge blocks release of Gene Hackman death photos after family says ‘grotesque’ pics could cause trauma
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: A New Mexico judge on Monday, March 31, ruled that photos, videos, and audio recordings connected to the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, will remain confidential and not be released to the public.
The decision follows arguments from Hackman’s estate, which claimed the release of such material would cause unnecessary trauma and fuel sensationalized media coverage, Fox News reported.
However, the judge did permit the release of the final autopsy and toxicology reports, as well as images of a deceased animal found at the scene.
Judge blocks release of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa death scene images
During Monday’s court hearing, lawyers representing Gene Hackman’s estate urged the court to prevent the release of graphic content. One attorney for Hackman's family emphasized the potential for lasting emotional harm, stating, “What we're really talking of, Judge, is my client's father, who lay dead for some amount of time, and all of the grotesque pictures that go along with that and the conversations of deputies discussing that.”
He 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.”
Susan Madore, Hackman’s longtime publicist, testified that the Oscar-winning actor fiercely guarded his privacy throughout his life, limiting press engagements and refusing commercial image requests. “He would never have agreed in his life for that to happen. So, why would you think he would agree to it in his death?” she argued.
The county’s legal team, however, countered that privacy rights do not extend beyond death. “It seems to be clear from the law that, in fact, the right of privacy, does not simply succeed in death, and therefore the estate does not have the right to bring a claim for loss of privacy after the death has occurred,” county attorney Greg Williams stated.
The court issued a temporary order on March 17 to block the release of certain materials, pending a hearing on March 31. Hackman’s estate specifically sought to prevent the release of any records showing the couple’s bodies, images of their home’s interior, as well as autopsy and death investigation reports.
Under New Mexico’s open records law, public access to sensitive images, such as those depicting deceased individuals, is restricted. Additionally, experts note that certain medical details are exempt from public disclosure under the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act.
Bodycam footage reveals haunting details of Betsy Arakawa’s fear of being followed
Although Gene Hackman’s estate sought to block various records, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department made bodycam footage related to the case available. The footage included an interview with Betsy’s hairstylist, who revealed that she had been concerned about being followed in the weeks before her death.
Betsy’s hairstylist revealed unsettling details about the couple’s final weeks. Christopher, a man who worked with Betsy, shared that she had expressed concern about being followed by a mysterious man.
She told him that the stranger had been parked outside their gate, watching their movements. On two separate occasions, she and Hackman noticed the man trailing them.
One of those occasions took place when the couple visited White Rock for lunch, and the man followed them the entire way from their home. On another occasion, the same man approached the couple with a folder full of photos of Hackman.
Betsy also told Christopher that the man had offered them a bottle of wine, which they declined.
The tragic deaths of Hackman, 95, and Betsy, 65, were confirmed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department after responding to a 911 call on February 26. The couple was found deceased in their home.
