New Mexico
Photos of Gene Hackman’s, wife’s bodies will not be made public, New Mexico judge rules
Photos showing the mummified bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa will be blocked from public view, a New Mexico judge ruled Monday after the actor’s estate asked for a restraining order on the release of the images and other materials.
A representative of the Hackman estate had sued to keep the presumably grisly photos — shot after “The French Connection” star had been dead for a week, and Arakawa for two weeks — out of the public eye, citing the 95-year-old actor’s famously private lifestyle and appealing to the family’s constitutional right to grieve privately.
On Monday, the First Judicial Court in Santa Fe County sided with the estate and ruled that the photos would be kept under wraps for the time being.
The ruling was first reported by the Daily Mail.
The bizarre circumstances of the couple’s mysterious deaths — which apparently occurred in different rooms and a week apart — caused a frenzy of speculation among fans and amateur sleuths.
Authorities eventually revealed that Arakawa, 65, probably died of the rare, rodent-borne illness hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the bathroom of their sprawling Santa Fe mansion. Hackman, who had been suffering from severe Alzheimer’s disease, seems to have remained alive in the house for a full week before dying of heart complications in the entryway.
Although the public has yet to see the state of their bodies when they were found, authorities said they had been partially mummified in the dry, high-altitude Santa Fe climate.
One of the couple’s beloved dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, had been locked in a kennel when Arakawa died and was also found mummified near her remains.
The couple “lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle,” claimed the family’s petition to seal the photographs, which also argued that the 14th Amendment gave family members the right to grieve without Hackman’s post-mortem photos paraded before the public.
New Mexico’s open records law blocks public access to sensitive images, including depictions of people who are deceased, said Amanda Lavin, legal director at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.
Some medical information also is not considered public record under the state Inspection of Public Records Act.
At the same time, the bulk of death investigations by law enforcement and autopsy reports by medical investigators are typically considered public records under state law in the spirit of ensuring government transparency and accountability, she said.
With Post wires
New Mexico’s famous Carlsbad Caverns National Park draws about 400,000 visitors each year, and is home to the largest accessible cave chamber in North America. Before or after a visit to the caves, the underrated city of Carlsbad makes a perfect base to recharge. With a peaceful setting along the Pecos River, Carlsbad entices visitors with river walks and wildlife. In the center of this metropolitan city is a rare gem: a riverfront beach park with soft sand, swimming areas, and even a small waterpark.
Formed by a dam on a portion of the Pecos River, the unique public space has an array of activities for park goers, ranging from beach volleyball to kayaking and boating. Spanning 125.6 miles, the Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area provides an urban oasis for residents and visitors alike, just steps away from all the attractions and dining options in Carlsbad. For a perfect combination adventure, visitors can spend time at Lake Carlsbad, or explore a nearby golf course, zoo, and both state and national parks.
Attractions in and around the Carlsbad Recreation Area
The Carlsbad Recreation Area has something for everyone, including five miles of walking paths lined with pecan trees for a relaxing stroll while soaking in the river views. Families can gather in picnic areas with barbecue pits, or take in a game of racquetball or mini golf. There’s also a beach and pavilion, swimming areas, and boat launches for a full day spent on the water. Kids will love the playgrounds, hockey rink, and skatepark. The city-run waterpark within the recreation area has six different small waterslides, a lazy river, children’s play areas, and lounge areas for a nominal entry fee of $5.
Less than five miles from the lake park is the Living Gardens Desert Zoo and State Park, which features hiking trails with amazing views of the valley, wildlife viewing, and educational tours. There are several lodging options for visitors, including tent and RV sites or rustic cabins at the Carlsbad RV Park or camping at Brantley Lake State Park. Right in the city, the Trinity Hotel offers an elegant stay in a historic building that dates back to 1892, or the highly-rated Fiddler’s Inn provides charming accommodations and a cozy atmosphere.
To get to Carlsbad, the Cavern City Air Terminal has a small number of commercial flights to Albuquerque and Phoenix. Or, for more flight options, the El Paso International Airport is the next best option, and is about a 2.5-hour drive from Carlsbad. For further exploration of under-the-radar attractions, about 50 miles outside of Carlsbad is the breathtaking Guadalupe Mountains, which is somehow one of the least-crowded national parks.
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