Judge Halts Release of Gene Hackman and Wife’s Autopsy and Bodycam Footage

A court has issued a short-term prohibition for releasing the autopsy reports and photographs of the deceased Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, the famous classical pianist. This is based on the request from their estate, who believe that the couple placed great importance on privacy and would have objected to such private details being made public.

Due to the well-known status of the deceased individuals and their strong preference for privacy while they were alive, the appointed representative aims to preserve the Hackmans’ privacy posthumously, mirroring their wishes during life. The family deserves a private space to mourn and it is essential that the court upholds this right.

Additionally, it was noted that photos of Kurt Cobain taken by the police after his passing in 1994 were withheld from public viewing due to a decision made by the appellate court in Washington.

On February 26, Hackman and Arakawa were tragically discovered deceased in their Santa Fe, NM residence. The authorities were summoned to the house following the discovery of an open door by a maintenance worker. The medical examiner ascertained that Arakawa succumbed to a hantavirus infection around February 12. Hackman passed away approximately a week later due to heart disease. At 95 years old, he was battling severe Alzheimer’s disease.

The judge scheduled a court session on March 31 to decide whether an order should be issued to stop the dissemination of the autopsy report and police photos, effectively halting their release.

Hantavirus represents a relatively uncommon, yet potentially fatal illness that can arise when one breathes in dust particles contaminated with rodent urine or droppings. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this virus carries a 36% fatality rate, and currently, there’s no available cure. It’s important to note that it is not transmissible from person to person.

Phone Records Indicate Arakawa Died Later Than Previously Thought

On February 12th, it appears that Arakawa placed three phone calls to Cloudberry Health, a health concierge service based in Santa Fe. Previously, it had been assumed that Arakwa’s last communication on the 11th of February was when she passed away, as this was her last known date of contact.

According to Dr. Josiah Child from Cloudberry Health, it’s true that Arakawa contacted their clinic on the 12th and scheduled an afternoon appointment, but she didn’t show up. They tried to reach her afterwards, but she did not respond. Contrary to some speculations, the purpose of this appointment was not related to respiratory issues or hantavirus symptoms.

Despite not being a specialist on the specific disease, Doctor Childs still finds the circumstances leading up to Arakawa’s death unusual. He emphasizes that Hantavirus, which often leads to severe respiratory issues, tends to manifest symptoms progressively over time and usually necessitates hospitalization. In his opinion, sudden deaths from this disease are uncommon. It’s been reported that on the 11th, Arakawa was seen running errands, and based on all accounts, he appeared to be in good health.

The shocking news of the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa sent ripples through Hollywood, prompting many celebrities to express their condolences for the deceased actor. One heartfelt tribute came from Emma Hemming Willis, wife of actor Bruce Willis, who emphasized the need to care for those who selflessly care for their loved ones. Hemming Willis, like Arakawa and others in similar situations, deserves a support system just as much as patients, so if you know someone caring for a loved one extensively, make sure to offer them your support.

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2025-03-19 03:04