Gene Hackman dies shortly after his wife Betsy Arakawa

In New Mexico, a New Mexico court is currently reviewing a request to withhold investigation records regarding the recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The couple was discovered weeks after their passing. Authorities confirmed that Gene Hackman, aged 95, succumbed to heart disease accompanied by complications from Alzheimer's disease about one week after the death of his wife, who was 65. Betsy Arakawa's cause of death was determined to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted by rodents. There were concerns that Hackman may not have been aware of his wife's death. Their estate representative, Julia Peters, is seeking to seal various sensitive records related to the investigation, citing the family's right to privacy and the potentially shocking nature of the photographs and videos involved. The Hackman family valued their privacy and took measures to protect it during their lives, even moving to Santa Fe, which is known as a haven for artists and celebrities, after Hackman retired. Public records laws in New Mexico typically mandate the disclosure of death investigations and autopsy reports to ensure transparency and accountability. However, due to the family's request, the disclosure of such information is currently under scrutiny. Moreover, one of the couple's three dogs was found deceased in their home, while two others survived, raising additional concerns regarding the conditions surrounding their deaths. The family did not have children together, but Gene Hackman has three children from a previous marriage, complicating the estate settlement process. The estate, which Hackman updated in 2005, leaves his assets to Arakawa, with her will designating her estate to him. However, since both have passed, the management is now under Julia Peters. Additionally, details remain ambiguous as to the beneficiaries and asset distribution of the trusts associated with the estate, pending further legal resolutions. As the investigation continues, discussions around caregiving and the importance of support for aging relatives have been reignited due to the circumstances surrounding the couple's passing, highlighting the need for proactive measures in elder care planning.