In an unusual move, the family of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman has sought to block the release of autopsy results, photos, and videos, raising new questions about the couple’s sudden death in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe, March 22 – The tragic death of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, has taken a mysterious turn as the family has filed to block the release of their autopsy reports, scene photos, and related videos.
The couple was found dead along with their dog in their Santa Fe mansion on February 26. While officials initially provided a timeline for Arakawa’s death as February 11, that has now been called into question following a local doctor’s account that she contacted his office after that date.
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🕵️♂️ A “Highly Unusual” Legal Move
According to The US Sun, the Hackman family has moved to prevent public access to autopsy documentation, which experts say is rare—even in celebrity cases.
“Blocking autopsy photos happens occasionally, but stopping the entire report from being released is highly unusual,” a source familiar with the investigation said. “New Mexico typically does not exempt autopsy reports from public disclosure.”
This move has drawn comparisons to similar high-profile cases, such as the Jackson family’s attempt to block Tito Jackson’s autopsy photos, and the family of Halyna Hutchins after the Alec Baldwin shooting. However, none blocked full reports like in Hackman’s case.
Also Read: Oscar-Winning Actor Gene Hackman and Wife’s Death: Cause of Death Revealed
📅 Disputed Timeline Raises Eyebrows
The Santa Fe County Medical Examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, initially ruled Arakawa’s cause of death as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, suggesting she died before Hackman, likely on or around February 11.
But Dr. Josiah Child, a local physician, claims that Arakawa called his clinic on February 12, which directly contradicts the official timeline.
“She called the morning of February 12 and spoke with one of our doctors. We gave her an appointment for that afternoon, but she never showed up,” Dr. Child told Daily Mail.
“She wasn’t experiencing any respiratory symptoms. The appointment wasn’t related to hantavirus, but for an echocardiogram for Mr. Hackman.”
He also confirmed that Arakawa had called his office weeks earlier and then cancelled her own appointment, raising more questions about her health and the events leading up to the couple’s death.
🕊️ What We Know So Far
- Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found deceased at their home on February 26, along with their dog.
- The cause of death for Arakawa is hantavirus, a rare but deadly respiratory illness.
- The family has filed motions to block release of autopsy details, a rare legal move in New Mexico.
- A discrepancy in Arakawa’s death timeline has emerged, prompting further scrutiny.
The legal effort to keep the autopsy sealed has only intensified public interest and speculation. With multiple conflicting accounts and an ongoing investigation, the true circumstances behind the deaths of the beloved actor and his wife remain shrouded in mystery.
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Gene Hackman death, Betsy Arakawa death, Hackman autopsy blocked, Gene Hackman mystery, Santa Fe deaths, celebrity death investigation, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Hollywood couple death, autopsy controversy, Brad Pitt, New Mexico law, celebrity autopsy reports