logo
Gene Hackman Death BodyCam Footage & Autopsy Not To Be Made Public, For Now

Gene Hackman Death BodyCam Footage & Autopsy Not To Be Made Public, For Now

Yahoo17-03-2025

The very private Gene Hackman will be allowed to retain some of his privacy posthumously, at least for a few more weeks.
Almost three weeks after the two-time Oscar winner and spouse Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead at their Santa Fe home, a New Mexico judge today granted their estate's request to seal medical records As well, Judge Matthew Wilson has sealed all police photos and video footage of the couple's bodies and one of their dogs when they were found on February 26.
More from Deadline
Oscars: Conan O'Brien Returns To Host 2026 Ceremony, Producers Raj Kapoor & Katy Mullan Also Back
Gene Hackman's Children "Not Named In His Will, But Could Still Claim Estate": Report
'The Substance' Producer Nicolas Royer Launches Campaign To Protect Hair Stylist Marilyne Scarselli Amidst Oscar Win Stand-Off
Suffering from Alzheimer's and heart disease, 95-year-old Hackman is assumed to have died on or about February 18, according to New Mexico authorities. That was almost a week after 63-year-old Arakawa is said to have died as a result in part of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a disease primarily spread mainly by rodents' feces as state medical officials and Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza revealed on March 7. revealed on March 7.
Unlike what occurred in the immediate aftermath of the January 2020 helicopter crash death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his second daughter Gianna with photographs of the wreckage and the bodies passed around for days by cops and others, today Judge Wilson ordered the potentially gruesome details of what was discovered in the Hackmans' secluded home to be kept out of the public eye. Monday's order follows a filing last week from the Hackman estate's Julia Peters to respect the couple's 'exemplary private life' and Constitutional rights.
Today, Judge Wilson wrote the Office of the Medical Investigator and the Sante Fe Sheriff's office 'including each entities' agents, assigns, and employees are hereby temporarily restrained from disclosing through IPRA or other means, any, and all photographs or videos containing images of the following:
The body of Gene Hackman
The body of Betsy Arakawa-Hackman
The interior of the [MJW] Mr. and Mrs. Hackman's residence
Any Label footage that includes Mr. or Mrs. Hackman's bodies
Any Label footage that includes images of any deceased animals at the Hackman residence'
Additionally, even with that quite vivid press conference of earlier this month, the Medical Investigator is 'temporarily restrained from disclosing through IPRA or any other means means [MJW] the Autopsy Reports and/or Death Investigation Reports for Mr. and Mrs. Hackman.'
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's office, which had basically asserted this matter was nearly wrapped up two weeks ago, did not respond to request for comment from Deadline on today's order.
A hearing is set in Judge Wilson's courtroom on March 31 for the police and the University of New Mexico, which runs the Office of the Medical Investigator, to argue why the now sealed images and information should not be permanently kept under wraps.
The case does reflect some conflicting legal and ethical headwinds for the state, the estate and the court. Traditionally, the availability of such material as images of dead bodies and medical info is not released into the public sphere in the Land of Enchantment. However, because Arakawa is believed to have passed away suddenly due to the Hantavirus raspatory disease that she could have picked up from rat or mice droppings, there is a public health and safety element to her medical records.
Usually, with other potentially at risk, such informantion is made public under New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act – but not here, at least not now.
On March 7, New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner was very open about what had gone down in the Hackmans' home in late February.
'The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor,' Dr. Heather Jarrell explained outside the County administrative building, noting the long ailing French Connection star had likely starved to death without the presence of his sole caregiver Arakawa alive to help him. 'Autopsy examination and a full body post mortem CT examination demonstrated no acute findings of internal or external trauma, and showed severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.'
Having retired from Hollywood after 2004's Welcome to Mooseport, Royal Tenenbaums patriarch Hackman won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (1992). In a career spanning four decades, Hackman was Oscar-nominated for his performances in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).
Best of Deadline
Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us'
The 25 Highest-Grossing Animated Films Of All Time At The Box Office
2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brad Pitt Insisting Ex Angelina Jolie ‘Get a Better Grip' on Their Big Brood
Brad Pitt Insisting Ex Angelina Jolie ‘Get a Better Grip' on Their Big Brood

Yahoo

time20 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Brad Pitt Insisting Ex Angelina Jolie ‘Get a Better Grip' on Their Big Brood

Angelina Jolie's son Pax looked worse for wear during a recent night out with friends in L.A. On May 31, the 21-year-old was photographed being propped up by his pals as the rowdy crew made their way from celebrity hotspot Chateau Marmont to a strip club on Hollywood's notorious Sunset Strip, where they partied until the wee hours. At one point, Pax looked as if he could barely stand as he clung to two members of his group, wavering on a street corner. The Oscar winner's middle son is getting a rep for reckless behavior. At least twice he's crashed his e-bike while speeding along L.A.'s busy streets — without a helmet — needing to be hospitalized after a collision last July. (An insider tells Star, 'a lot of people have told him it's lunacy, that he must have some type of death wish to be so negligent.') For Angelina, it's a conundrum. 'Like any parent, she worries that Pax will fall into the wrong crowd or drink too much,' says the source. Yet the 50-year-old, a former wild child herself, has always prided herself on being a supportive but hands-off mother to Pax and his five siblings (she and ex-husband Brad Pitt share Maddox, 23, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and 16-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox). Now the source says Brad fears his ex is losing control of their big brood — revealing another bone of contention in their bitter split. 'He's insisting Angelina get a better grip,' says the source. 'But she isn't going to listen to him and his concerns.' Angelina doesn't feel like she has much of a leg to stand on when it comes to reining the kids in — she was no stranger to trouble as a young adult. In a November 2011 interview with 60 Minutes, Angelina opened up about going through 'heavy, darker times' in her life. 'Angelina used to restrict Pax when he was younger but now that he's 21, there's not much she can do,' says the source. 'Besides, she did plenty worse than he did when she was his age, so she's wary of coming across like a hypocrite.' She also brought up the children to be free spirits. They spent their formative years traveling the globe. In 2021, the Maria star — who once said she'd rather they focus on outdoor adventures than homework — revealed to E! News' Daily Pop that she was scared of parent-teacher conferences. 'I have a problem with schools because I was always in trouble in school,' she admitted. 'I have PTSD.' When it comes to Pax, there's not much Brad can do. Adopted from Vietnam, Pax spent his early years in an orphanage before Brad and Angelina brought him home in 2007. Among all of the kids, he's been the most vocal about siding with his mom in the couple's nasty, years-long divorce and custody battle. (The family unraveled after a 2016 incident on a private plane. Angelina accused a drunken Brad of attacking her; now sober, Brad has denied all allegations.) In 2020, he reportedly slammed Brad in a since-deleted Instagram post, calling him 'world class a**hole.' The source says the 61-year-old 'still loves him dearly' and believes the children 'have been given way too much freedom way too soon,' by their mom. (Until age 18, he still has legal access to the twins.) In another blow to the F1 actor, Shiloh, one of several of the kids who have dropped 'Pitt' from their name, has further altered her moniker. The teen debuted her new name, 'Shi Joli,' in a press release about a dance she choreographed for an Isabel Marant/Net-A-Porter fashion show May 29. According to the source, Shiloh 'is still trying to find herself. Growing up in the spotlight was tough on her and she found her parents' divorce traumatic.' Angelina is taking a backseat approach for now and hoping the kids find their way eventually. Zahara is off at Spelman College ('she's very keen to spread her wings and travel,' says the source) while Maddox (who Angelina described as 'smart … but also wild' in 2019) lives in Angelina's Manhattan apartment (she said in March all the children use it as a 'crash pad'). 'Angelina is happy for them all to try new things and thinks it's healthy for them to experiment. She has zero doubt they'll go on to achieve great things in their lives.'

Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña on Pixar's first Mexican-Dominican animated lead in ‘Elio': ‘The future of America are Latinos'
Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña on Pixar's first Mexican-Dominican animated lead in ‘Elio': ‘The future of America are Latinos'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña on Pixar's first Mexican-Dominican animated lead in ‘Elio': ‘The future of America are Latinos'

Walking her first red carpet since her historic Oscar win — just a few miles from ongoing ICE raids in Downtown Los Angeles — Zoe Saldaña shared a timely and personal message at the premiere of Pixar's latest animated feature, Elio. "I do believe that the future of America are Latinos, and people of color," Saldaña, who made history recently as the first Dominican-American to win an Academy Award, told Gold Derby. "I just think that as long as we keep being who we are and coming from a place of love and dignity and hard work we will win." More from GoldDerby 'RuPaul's Drag Race': Onya Nurve and Jewels Sparkles dish their 'ride of a lifetime,' stolen jokes, and turning drag 'inside out' 'And then somebody throws a piece of sh-t at you': 'The Diplomat' star Ato Essandoh on Stuart getting honeytrapped Emmy experts analyze Limited Series race: Why 'Adolescence' is 'the one to beat' as voting begins In the film, Saldaña voices Aunt Olga to Elio, played by Yonas Kibreab, a lonely Earthling who finds friendship in space with aliens. Elio is also, notably, Pixar's first Mexican-Dominican lead character. Brad Garrett, who voices the film's villain Lord Grigon, said he felt like the events taking place in Los Angeles really hit home. "Being a native Californian who grew up in this area, I love that [Elio] is about a Latino family," he explained. "I think we need that now more than ever." Photo byfor Disney/Pixar The film was originally slated for release in the spring 2024. "It's so funny that it was delayed up until this very week,' Jameela Jamil, who plays Ambassador Questa, told Gold Derby, adding that what was previously a setback turned out to be perfect timing. "Politicians and media around the world are trying to make us feel powerless by design, and this film reminds you of individual power and the power of community." Domee Shi (Turning Red) who co-directed with Madeline Sharafian (Burrow) and Adrian Molina (Coco), outlined her hopes for Elio's impact with Gold Derby: "To be able to inspire kids and adults to reach out to their fellow human, to make a connection, to empathize with beings that don't look like them or speak the same language as them but deep down they also have a beating heart. I'm really proud that our movie shows a space that's aspirational, that could be what humanity could be one day, where all of these creatures from all over the galaxy and universe can come together and exchange ideas and technology and live in peace." Idealistic, perhaps, but the power and sway of cinema is not to be underestimated. Overall, Saldaña expressed a positive outlook, as well as offering this future forecasting: "Every empire meets its demise," she said. "We're witnessing a very big bang before the light truly comes in." "We have to embrace other cultures," Garrett said. "And hopefully the aliens will land on the White House. Now is a good time." Best of GoldDerby Stephen King movies: 14 greatest films ranked worst to best 'The Life of Chuck' cast reveal their favorite Stephen King works, including Mark Hamill's love of the 'terrifying' 'Pet Sematary' From 'Hot Rod' to 'Eastbound' to 'Gemstones,' Danny McBride breaks down his most righteous roles: 'It's been an absolute blast' Click here to read the full article.

After alleged juror threats, jury finds Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault
After alleged juror threats, jury finds Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault

UPI

time2 hours ago

  • UPI

After alleged juror threats, jury finds Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assault

1 of 5 | A jury on Wednesday found former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein guilty on one count of sexual assault but innocent on another count and will continue deliberating a rape charge on Thursday. Pool Photo by Curtis Means/UPI | License Photo June 11 (UPI) -- Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is guilty of sexual assault, a New York jury determined Wednesday amid courtroom chaos when a juror allegedly threatened another. The Manhattan Supreme Court jury of seven women and five men found Weinstein, 73, guilty of sexually assaulting Miriam Haley but acquitted him of the same charge regarding Kaja Sokola, the New York Daily News reported. The jury delivered the split verdict following five days of deliberations. Still to be decided is a charge of third-degree rape of accuser Jessica Mann, who said Weinstein raped her in 2013. Haley and Sokola said Weinstein performed oral sex on them with force and without their permission in separate instances in 2006. A courtroom outburst preceded the reading of Wednesday's verdicts, when a juror reportedly yelled at another: "I'll meet you outside one day." The outburst spurred Weinstein's legal team to request a mistrial, including attorney Arthur Aidala, who accused the juror of criminal "menacing and harassment." Weinstein sat in a wheelchair during the six-week trial after recently undergoing emergency surgery on his heart in September. He also was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer in October. After the outburst inside the courtroom, Weinstein told Justice Curtis Farber the jury's actions make it impossible for him to get a fair trial. "We've heard threats. We've heard intimidation. We've heard fights," he said. "This is not right for me, the person that's on trial here." The jury foreman told Farber some jurors were "attacking" each other and said, "I can't go back in there with the other jurors." The foreman first notified the judge of problems among jurors on Monday and said the situation "isn't very good." Farber asked the jury to deliver its partial verdict and told the jurors to go home early to give them time away from each other before resuming deliberating the remaining charge on Thursday. The guilty verdict for sexual assault could put Weinstein in prison for up to 25 years, minus time already served after a 2020 conviction on the charge. Weinstein has maintained his innocence and said all sexual encounters were consensual. A jury trial in 2020 found Weinstein guilty on all charges against him, but an appellate court last year overturned the verdict due to testimony by witnesses regarding unrelated events and allegations. Weinstein co-founded Miramax and won an Oscar for producing "Shakespeare in Love." He also produced award-winning films "Pulp Fiction," "The English Patient" and "Good Will Hunting," among others.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store