Gene Hackman's estate asks court to block the release of police images and videos
The estate of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead at their New Mexico ranch last month, has asked a court to stop sensitive images from the investigation into the couple's deaths becoming public.
The estate of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead at their New Mexico ranch last month, has asked a court to stop sensitive images from the investigation into the couple's deaths becoming public.
Julia Peters, representing the estate through the Sommer Udall Law Firm, filed a legal petition Tuesday to prevent the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office and the local medical examiner from releasing documents related to the case, particularly photos and video, such as body-worn camera footage.
"A preliminary injunction is necessary to protect the estates of Mr. Hackman and Ms. Arakawa-Hackman's right to privacy," said the document filed at the First Judicial Court in Santa Fe County.
The petition argued that "during their lifetime, the Hackmans placed significant value on their privacy and took affirmative, vigilant steps to safeguard their privacy." "Accordingly, the Hackmans led an exemplary private life for more than 30 years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle," it added.
Authorities announced last week that Hackman was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and died from heart failure seven days after his wife died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a virus found in rodents.
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