Gene Hackman Estate Seeks to Block Release of Death Investigation Records

The late actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found deceased in their New Mexico home, with causes of death linked to heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and hantavirus.

Gene Hackman, 95, died from heart disease with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor, while his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-borne disease.
The couple’s bodies were discovered on February 26, 2025, at their Santa Fe home, with evidence suggesting Arakawa died a week earlier on February 11.
Hackman’s estate has petitioned a New Mexico court to block the release of autopsy reports, photographs, and police bodycam footage, citing privacy concerns and the family’s right to grieve.
One of the couple’s surviving dogs assisted first responders in locating Hackman’s body, which was found in a mudroom after a 30-minute search of the property.
The request to seal records has sparked debate over balancing privacy rights with public access to investigative documents, especially given the public health implications of hantavirus.