STAY OUTTA THIS


Gene Hackman’s Estate Wants Death Investigation Records to Stay Secret

The estate wants to prevent the media from publishing potentially distressing photos and videos.

The estate of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, is hoping to keep records related to their deaths private. Julia Peters, a representative for the estate, has asked a court in New Mexico to block the release of photos, videos, and police body camera footage linked to the deaths of the 95-year-old actor and his wife. Last week, authorities said Hackman died of heart disease, with complications from Alzheimer’s disease, about a week after his wife, 65, died after contracting hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a rare, rodent-borne disease. Their dog also died while confined to a crate. They were all found dead in their New Mexico home last month, sparking speculation that a gas leak may have killed them—a theory that has been debunked. Peters said the estate wants to seal the records to protect the family’s right to privacy in grief, highlighting concerns about their potentially shocking nature.

Play Video