Gene Hackmans estate attempts to block release of photographs, footage from death investigation

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s estate is attempting to block the release of photos, videos and police bodycam footage related to the couple’s deaths.Lawyer Kurt Sommer filed a petition Tuesday in state District Court in Santa Fe attempting to prevent the medical investigator and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office from releasing footage, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.The petition attempts to block the release of the couple’s autopsy and “death investigation” until their deaths can be litigated, according to the outlet. Sommer wrote that once the images are released “the bell cannot be unrung.” Sommer argued the couple’s right to privacy outweighs the public interest in the couple’s death.He cited Kurt Cobain’s death in his petition and pointed out that a court refused to release the “death-scene” photographs. “Undersigned counsel cannot think of respective harm that would come to the State and County offices from respecting the discretion of Mr.

Hackman’s and Mrs.Hackman-Arakawa’s right to privacy,” he wrote.“During their lifetime, the Hackmans placed significant value on their privacy and took affirmative, vigilant steps to safeguard their privacy.“Mr.

and Mrs.Hackman were members of this community, not part-time casual residents.

The Personal Representative seeks to continue to preserve the privacy of the Hackmans following their tragic death and support the family’s constitutional right to remembrance and desire to grieve in peace.”Sommer had no comment for Fox News Digital.The Associated Press reported that the petition detailed Gene and Betsy’s discrete lifestyle in Santa Fe. The deceased “lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle,” according to the petition.Gene and Betsy’s estate is represented by Julia Peters, a partner and chief counsel for the Avalon Trust Co.investment firm. According to the petition, Peters was H...