Gene Hackman Estate Tries to Block Release of Death Scene Photos

Yahoo

14-03-2025

The estate of beloved Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has filed court documents seeking to ban the public release of death scene photos and police body cam video.
That's according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, which broke the news of the filing on March 13.
The actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa-Hackman were both discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home. Authorities said in a news conference that they believe Hackman's wife died first on or around February 18, and that the 95-year-old actor, who was afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease, passed away about a week later, perhaps without ever having realized that his wife died. He was found in a mud room with his sunglasses and walking cane next to him, authorities said.
The bodies were discovered by a maintenance worker and security guard who then called 911. Police then found the tragic scene.
And it's that body cam footage that the estate doesn't wasn't the public to see, along with any photos of the scene.
Attorney Kurt Sommer is representing the estate and filed the petition seeking to block the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department and Medical Examiner from releasing the photos and video, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
The publication also reported that Hackman's will was filed in court as well, although it's not clear what it says. Hackman had three kids with his first wife.
The sheriff and medical examiner previously revealed in a news conference that Arakawa-Hackman died of Hantavirus Syndrome, which is contracted after exposure to mouse droppings, and Hackman died of hypertension and cardiovascular issues, with his Alzheimer's Disease contributing to his demise.