The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have become more perplexing as their family has taken an unexpected step in response.
Not only are they attempting to halt the release of photos and videos depicting the couple’s corpses, as well as their dog’s remains and the conditions within their Santa Fe residence, but they are also striving to block the dissemination of autopsy findings and death investigation documents.
UNUSUAL FAMILY MOVES
An insider familiar with the death investigation shared exclusively with The U.S. Sun that they have never encountered a family trying to obstruct autopsy documents in New Mexico during their career. They stated, “Attempting to inhibit the autopsy report is highly unusual; I have never witnessed anything like it before.”
In New Mexico, there isn’t a provision shielding autopsy photos, which typically isn’t a concern. However, given the celebrity status of the individuals involved, there is often public interest in such images. It’s routine for families of high-profile individuals to seek judicial intervention to prevent the release of such photos.
RESTRAINING ORDER DETAILS
In a temporary restraining order acquired by Hackman’s estate, the Santa Fe court has prohibited the Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Medical Investigator from releasing any images or videos of Hackman and Arakawa’s remains, their deceased dog, or the interior of their home until a hearing later this month. This unusual request to block the autopsy report follows the similar attempt to prevent image release.
HEALTH REVELATIONS
Earlier announcements from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator revealed that Betsy was diagnosed posthumously with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and potentially lethal condition associated with rodent exposure. Given that hantavirus has previously been a public health concern, it is remarkable that efforts are underway to withhold information regarding a reported case from the general public.
MYSTERIOUS TIMELINES
Complicating matters further, preliminary cell phone records disclosed that Betsy made several calls to a medical facility on February 12, just a day after she was initially believed to have passed away. Authorities confirmed that her phone was active on the morning of February 12, calling the medical center three times, and receiving one incoming call later that day.
Gene Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter expressed their sorrow, stating, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.” They shared that although he was cherished by many for his illustrious career, to them, he was simply Dad and Grandpa.
