Gene Hackman’s Family Trying To Block Autopsy Report Release In ‘Highly Unusual’ Move, Insider Says!

The mystery surrounding Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa‘s death continues, all because of a recent odd demand the family has made.

As we previously reported, Julia Peters, a representative for the estate of the late couple, filed a request to seal the autopsy and death investigation reports last week to protect the family’s right to privacy in grief under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Peters argued Gene and Betsy “lived an exemplary private life for over thirty years in Santa Fe, New Mexico and did not showcase their lifestyle” after he left Hollywood, so their privacy also should be honored after their death.

Plus, their loved ones want to prevent any pictures and police body-camera footage from coming out and potentially being spread by the media. Remember, law enforcement discovered a horrific scene at the home of Gene and Betsy in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26. The 64-year-old pianist, who we have now learned died from the rare disease hantavirus sometime after February 12, had already begun to mummify in her hands and feet. As for Gene? The Superman star passed away a week later from cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s and showed signs of decomposition as his hands were blackened when police found their bodies.

Understandably, the family does not want the shocking photos or footage of their remains out in the world for everyone to see. No one wants a repeat of the Kobe Bryant situation. We totally get that. However, for the family to block the release of autopsy records from coming out? The move is totally out of the norm! An insider close to the death investigation told The US Sun on Wednesday:

“Trying to block the autopsy report is very atypical, that is not something I have ever seen before.”

Never? Wow! According to the source, family members will often try to stop the release of any images or videos when it comes to celebrity deaths. This is expected. They said:

“New Mexico doesn’t have an exemption for autopsy photos, and normally it’s not a concern, but when it comes to celebrity deaths, a lot of people will request them. So it’s common where family members of celebrities would use the New Mexico courts to block release of photos specifically. As with the Hackmans, Michael Jackson’s family blocked Tito Jackson’s autopsy photos, and with the Alec Baldwin shooting of Halyna Hutchins, her family did the same.”

However, as the source pointed out, “blocking the actual autopsy report, again, is highly unusual.” Hmm. If it is so uncommon, why did they make the request? Is it really to continue to protect the privacy of Gene, Betsy, and their family? Or are they trying to prevent something from coming out? We bet the latter is what some conspiracy theorists are thinking…

At this time, a decision on the request has not been made. Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments below.

[Image via WENN, The Royal Tenenbaums/Touchstone Pictures]