Latest news with #FirstJudicialDistrictCourt
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Fe police haven't provided reports on downtown shootings
Editor's note: The Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) 'enables access to public records of governmental entities in New Mexico,' according to the New Mexico Department of Justice. Public Records Watch is an occasional series from The Santa Fe New Mexican that documents how public agencies respond to IPRA requests. Police have been sparse on details regarding two downtown shootings in recent months and have still provided no reports from their investigations of either incident. 041723 md (copy) Alvin Crespin enters a plea during a hearing in 2023 in the First Judicial District Court. He was shot to death April 25 in De Vargas Park. Records staff from the city of Santa Fe have estimated it will take two months to provide any police reports related to the fatal shooting of Alvin Crespin at De Vargas Park in late April. The city also has yet to provide any reports on another fatal shooting in early May in downtown Santa Fe. A man was charged with shooting and killing Crespin at the downtown Santa Fe park April 25, and a woman was accused of conspiring in the homicide and acting as a getaway driver. Police arrested the suspects, Pierre Cheykaychi and Alexis Chavez, in the week after the shooting. A request for police reports related to the investigation was submitted April 28. Records staff have estimated they will be able to produce the reports June 27. City staff have pushed back the expected date to provide the reports twice, deeming the request for police reports in a single murder investigation "excessively burdensome or broad," a designation that allows city staff to take longer than 15 days to produce records in response to a request. Little is still known about the shooting death of Raven Iron Lightning Scott on May 12 in downtown Santa Fe — including whether Scott's death was a homicide. Police have declined to answer questions about the fatal shooting, including those seeking details about the circumstances of his death. Raven Raven Iron Lightning Scott Scott died from his injuries from at least one gunshot wound, police said, and he was found at a city-owned parking lot at Water Street and Don Gaspar Avenue in the early hours. Police have not filed any criminal charges in the shooting. The New Mexican submitted a request for reports from the death investigation May 22. After 12 days, city records staff have not given an estimated date for producing the records. City spokesperson Regina Ruiz did not respond to an email seeking an explanation for the delays in providing the public records. Deputy police Chief Ben Valdez wrote back Tuesday saying he would check on the requests with the city's records staff.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Investigators in Gene Hackman's death release footage from inside home, wife Betsy's online search history
Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, inquired about COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms multiple times before she died, according to a report obtained by Fox News Digital. Detectives with the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department also released footage from inside the Hackman home on the day their bodies were discovered in February. Through a search of Betsy's computer, investigators discovered an email Betsy sent to her massage therapist on Feb. 11 where she admitted Gene (G) took a "covid test" after experiencing "flu/cold-like symptoms." Prior to her email, Betsy had researched "COVID" at least four times before pursuing medical attention at the Cloudberry Health center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, documents showed. Gene Hackman's Home Found To Be Infested With Rodents After Wife Died Of Hantavirus With the release of the records as ordered by the First Judicial District Court, Santa Fe County, sheriffs extended their appreciation to first responders, and offered sincere condolences to the Hackman family in their time of loss. Read On The Fox News App "Our statutory and fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers requires us to find compassionate and workable solutions that respect both public transparency requirements and a grieving family's dignity," Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said. Beginning Feb. 8 through 9, "multiple searches related to flu and COVID symptoms" were discovered in Betsy's Google search history, detectives reported. On Feb. 10, Betsy searched "flu and nosebleeds" at 11:52 a.m., followed one minute later with another search for "COVID nosebleeds." At 1:15 p.m., she searched, "Can COVID cause dizziness?" In an email correspondence with Katia Van Horn sent on Feb. 11 at 10:24 a.m., Betsy wrote, "So, G woke up today with flu/cold-like symptoms, did a COVID test, negative. But out of an abundance of caution, I should cancel my appt tomorrow and rebook, say, in a couple weeks, last week of Feb if something is available.." Gene Hackman Death: Bodycam Footage Reveals Wife Feared Being Followed Van Horn told investigators that she had not seen Gene "for over a year," but mentioned that he had previously "undergone surgery performed by a doctor in New York." Feb. 8-9, 2025 – Multiple searches related to flu and COVID symptoms Feb. 10, 2025 at 11:52 a.m. – "Flu and nosebleeds" Feb. 10, 2025 at 11:53 a.m. – "COVID nosebleeds" Feb. 10, 2025 at 1:15 p.m. – "Can COVID cause dizziness?" Feb. 12, 2025 at 8:59 a.m. – "How long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last" Feb. 12, 2025 at 9:26 a.m. – "Cloudberry Health Santa Fe, New Mexico" Additionally, Van Horn saw Betsy on Feb. 5, and remembered the late pianist discussing a recent car accident where she had "hit a median with her vehicle" and needed to visit a Toyota repair shop. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Betsy's final two search queries were on Feb. 12, including "How long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last" at 8:59 a.m., and "Cloudberry Health Santa Fe, New Mexico" at 9:26 a.m. "This data suggests that Betsy was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death," the report stated. The Hackmans, and one of their dogs, were found dead in their home on Feb. 26. The couple had been married for more than 30 years. In newly released video footage from the day authorities discovered Gene and Betsy's bodies, body camera footage revealed one of the Hackmans dogs protecting Betsy's body. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Bear and Nikita, the late couple's dogs, helped authorities find Gene and Betsy's bodies when officials arrived at their home in New Mexico. Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained the department immediately located Betsy in a bathroom after entering the front door of the New Mexico home. However, officials searched for nearly 30 minutes with no sign of Hackman. WATCH: AUTHORITIES SEARCH GENE HACKMAN, WIFE BETSY ARAKAWA HACKMAN'S HOME Detectives initially described the couple's deaths as "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital. While paramedics and officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department searched the home, one of the couple's dogs kept running up to them. Authorities originally thought the dog wanted to play but later realized the pup was trying to help. One of Hackman and Betsy's dogs died, but two remained alive at the home and were able to roam through an open back door. The deceased dog, Zinna, likely died from dehydration and starvation, according to the report, which specified the dog's stomach was empty. Zinna's body was discovered in a crate that was in a closet about "10 to 15" feet away from where Betsy's body was found on the floor of the bathroom. Betsy, a classical pianist, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to New Mexico officials. Gene died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributing factor. Gene likely survived alone in the home for about a week, until he died around Feb. 18, which was the last time activity was recorded on his pacemaker. Authorities assumed this was his last day alive, as the Oscar winner's body was not discovered for nine more article source: Investigators in Gene Hackman's death release footage from inside home, wife Betsy's online search history
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Investigators in Gene Hackman's death release footage from inside home, wife Betsy's online search history
Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, inquired about COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms multiple times before she died, according to a report obtained by Fox News Digital. Detectives with the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department also released footage from inside the Hackman home on the day their bodies were discovered in February. Through a search of Betsy's computer, investigators discovered an email Betsy sent to her massage therapist on Feb. 11 where she admitted Gene (G) took a "covid test" after experiencing "flu/cold-like symptoms." Prior to her email, Betsy had researched "COVID" at least four times before pursuing medical attention at the Cloudberry Health center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, documents showed. With the release of the records as ordered by the First Judicial District Court, Santa Fe County, sheriffs extended their appreciation to first responders, and offered sincere condolences to the Hackman family in their time of loss. "Our statutory and fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers requires us to find compassionate and workable solutions that respect both public transparency requirements and a grieving family's dignity," Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said. Beginning Feb. 8 through 9, "multiple searches related to flu and COVID symptoms" were discovered in Betsy's Google search history, detectives reported. On Feb. 10, Betsy searched "flu and nosebleeds" at 11:52 a.m., followed one minute later with another search for "COVID nosebleeds." At 1:15 p.m., she searched, "Can COVID cause dizziness?" In an email correspondence with Katia Van Horn sent on Feb. 11 at 10:24 a.m., Betsy wrote, "So, G woke up today with flu/cold-like symptoms, did a COVID test, negative. But out of an abundance of caution, I should cancel my appt tomorrow and rebook, say, in a couple weeks, last week of Feb if something is available.." Van Horn told investigators that she had not seen Gene "for over a year," but mentioned that he had previously "undergone surgery performed by a doctor in New York." Additionally, Van Horn saw Betsy on Feb. 5, and remembered the late pianist discussing a recent car accident where she had "hit a median with her vehicle" and needed to visit a Toyota repair shop. Betsy's final two search queries were on Feb. 12, including "How long do the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy last" at 8:59 a.m., and "Cloudberry Health Santa Fe, New Mexico" at 9:26 a.m. "This data suggests that Betsy was actively researching medical conditions related to COVID-19 and flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death," the report stated. The Hackmans, and one of their dogs, were found dead in their home on Feb. 26. The couple had been married for more than 30 years. In newly released video footage from the day authorities discovered Gene and Betsy's bodies, body camera footage revealed one of the Hackmans dogs protecting Betsy's body. Bear and Nikita, the late couple's dogs, helped authorities find Gene and Betsy's bodies when officials arrived at their home in New Mexico. Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained the department immediately located Betsy in a bathroom after entering the front door of the New Mexico home. However, officials searched for nearly 30 minutes with no sign of Hackman. WATCH: AUTHORITIES SEARCH GENE HACKMAN, WIFE BETSY ARAKAWA HACKMAN'S HOME Detectives initially described the couple's deaths as "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital. While paramedics and officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department searched the home, one of the couple's dogs kept running up to them. Authorities originally thought the dog wanted to play but later realized the pup was trying to help. One of Hackman and Betsy's dogs died, but two remained alive at the home and were able to roam through an open back door. The deceased dog, Zinna, likely died from dehydration and starvation, according to the report, which specified the dog's stomach was empty. Zinna's body was discovered in a crate that was in a closet about "10 to 15" feet away from where Betsy's body was found on the floor of the bathroom. Betsy, a classical pianist, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to New Mexico officials. Gene died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributing factor. Gene likely survived alone in the home for about a week, until he died around Feb. 18, which was the last time activity was recorded on his pacemaker. Authorities assumed this was his last day alive, as the Oscar winner's body was not discovered for nine more days.
USA Today
02-04-2025
- USA Today
Photos of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa's bodies cannot be shown to public, judge rules
Photos of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa's bodies cannot be shown to public, judge rules Show Caption Hide Caption Death timeline of Gene Hackman, wife Gene Hackman and his wife died a week apart and from entirely different causes. No foul play is suspected in the deaths. Photos from the death investigation of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been partially blocked from release, a New Mexico judge ruled on Monday. During a hearing in Santa Fe court, District Judge Matthew J. Wilson placed investigation records depicting Hackman and Arakawa's bodies under seal from public view. The couple, who resided in Santa Fe, were found deceased in their home on Feb. 26. Hackman was 95, while Arakawa was 64. Such records include investigative photos, lapel footage gathered from police bodycams and photos from autopsy reports. However, Wilson denied a previous preliminary injunction's ban on the release of other media records from the death investigation, such as audio, autopsy records and videos that do not depict Hackman and Arakawa's bodies. "Injunctions are a harsh and drastic remedy, which should issue only in extreme cases of pressing necessity," Wilson said. "It is not enough that the party seeking injunctive relief merely claim irreparable harm." The ruling comes after the First Judicial District Court in New Mexico issued a temporary restraining order against the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office and the Office of the Medical Investigator on March 17. The order temporarily barred the disclosure of photographs or videos showing Hackman or Arakawa's bodies, the interior of their home and any lapel footage that includes their bodies or images of their deceased animals. Additionally, the order temporarily prevented the disclosure of autopsy reports or death investigation reports for Hackman and Arakawa. Julia Peters, a representative for the estate of Hackman and Arakawa, filed the petition for the order. Hackman's children, Christopher Hackman, Elizabeth Hackman and Leslie Allen, were listed as intervenors in the case, according to a Friday motion, allowing them to file a complaint for declaratory judgment. Read more: Photos of Gene Hackman, wife's deaths to be restricted with temporary restraining order Gene Hackman's publicist talks potential impact of investigation photos, videos During Monday's hearing, Hackman's longtime publicist testified on the late actor's reclusive public life. Susan Madore, co-CEO of Guttman Associates, reflected on Hackman and Arakawa's reluctance to appear extensively in the media. Madore said the couple objected earlier this year to a proposed feature from "CBS News Sunday Morning," which would have included commentary from individuals familiar with Hackman and Arakawa. CBS scrapped the piece after learning of Hackman and Arakawa's opposition. "When I told Gene and Betsy about it, they were horrified," Madore said. "They decided not to do the piece. They didn't want to upset Gene and Betsy." When asked about the possible release of death investigation records depicting Hackman and Arakawa, Madore said Hackman would have been against such exposure. "For anything like that to be out in the public, any entity can use it however they want in perpetuity," Madore said. "He would have never agreed in his life for that to happen, so why would we think he would agree to it in his death?" Bodycam footage from Gene Hackman death investigation released Despite the restraining order, police bodycam footage from the death investigation was released earlier this month, according to records obtained by USA TODAY on March 25. Clips from the footage, which consists of over 20 videos, showed police speaking with witnesses about the state of Hackman and Arakawa's home, as well as the account of a contractor who entered the couple's residence and discovered Arakawa's body. According to a search warrant affidavit, authorities found Hackman in a mudroom near his cane, appearing to have fallen, while his wife was found in an open bathroom near a space heater, with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the nearby countertop. A deputy observed Arakawa with "body decomposition, bloating in her face" and mummification of her hands and feet. Gene Hackman death: Bodycam footage shows emotional maintenance worker after actor was found A week after Hackman and Arakawa were found dead, the couple's causes of death were revealed during a press conference held by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. New Mexico's chief medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, said the office's investigation found that Hackman died of natural causes. The Oscar-winning actor also had heart disease and complications caused by Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Arakawa died from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease that is contracted by contact with mouse droppings. (This story has been updated to include additional information.) Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Gene and Betsy Hackman's Estate Wins Partial Victory in Footage and Death Records Court Ruling
A Santa Fe judge declared that records related Gene and Betsy Hackman's deaths could be released to the public — but in a mixed ruling handed down on Monday afternoon, they stipulated that images of the very private couple's partially decomposing bodies will not be released. Throughout Monday, Judge Matthew Wilson heard arguments at Santa Fe's First Judicial District Court from attorneys representing the Hackman family estate, which had asked that footage and documents related to the two deaths in February, which are traditionally part of the public record, be made private. Opposing this in court was counsel representing Santa Fe County, who made a case for state law and ensuring government transparency and accountability. More from The Hollywood Reporter How Gene and Betsy Hackman's Dog Died Revealed in New Report Who Will Be Handed Gene Hackman's Estate Uncertain as Wills of Actor and Wife Are Revealed Gene Hackman Survived in Home Alone With Advanced Alzheimer's for a Week After Wife's Death 'There shall be no depiction of either body in any video production,' Judge Wilson said in his ruling, which allows the release of redacted police body camera video and other documents. No photos or other explicit images from the autopsy reports will be made public, either. In March, police and the medical examiner revealed elements of the autopsy reports on the iconic actor and his wife of 30 years. The bodies of both were found Feb. 26 in separate rooms of their home during a wellness check; neither showed signs of external trauma, police said, but Hackman's pacemaker had sent its last record on Feb. 17, suggesting he had been dead for at least one week before his body was discovered slumped over in a mud room off the couple's kitchen. Gene Hackman died of severe cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor and Betsy Hackman died in their living room of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness caused by viruses transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, the New Mexico Medical Examiner said. The couple had strived to live a private life together in their house on Old Sunset Trail Road after withdrawing from Hollywood life in 2004. On Monday, Sante Fe attorney Kurt Sommer told the court that the Hackman estate has a duty to protect Gene and Betsy's property, including photographs and videos taken of their dead bodies at the time they were discovered and during their autopsies. The arguments on Monday centered around whether the temporary restraining order Judge Wilson granted on March 17, effectively halting public access to the autopsy reports and death investigation reports for the estate, should become an injunction as their deaths are further investigated and other aspects of their estate are settled. 'Gene and Betsy Hackman's names, likenesses and images are valuable and need to be protected and that is clearly proven out by virtue of the press wanting to get their hands on the documents to exploit them for their own personal profit and gain,' Sommer said attorney Kurt Sommer for the estate at a hearing today in New Mexico over releasing materials related to the February deaths of the couple. 'This estate has a duty to protect Gene and Betsy's property, including photographs and videos of their dead bodies,' the Sante Fe lawyer asserted. The major question was whether the couple maintained a right to privacy in death, as well as the right to control the use of one's image after dying. The estate also argued that releasing the footage could cause future security issues at the late couple's estate. 'The request for the video is nothing more than backdoor exposure to the Hackmans' lifestyle that could not be attained by the press during their lifetime,' Sommer said. 'There's no damage to the media by waiting until these matters are decided, a significant amount of videos have already been released to the press.' Santa Fe County counsel Walker Boyd argued that the couple retains no right to privacy in death, according to the state laws currently on the books. He called it 'very unusual' for a judge to be asked to enter an order 'to stop state entities from doing their statutorily required jobs,' i.e., providing access to the records surrounding the death of a public figure. 'The estate and intervening family members do not possess the right of privacy being asserted here,' Boyd said. The Associated Press, CBS News and CBS Studios had intervened in the matter after the judge issued the temporary order in February. Attorney Gregory P. Williams, representing the news outlets, told the judge that court filings showed that images of the couple's bodies would not be disseminated and they would blur to obscure them from other records. 'There is certainly a public interest in knowing how their deaths were investigated and knowing how that was handled,' Williams told the court. 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