A judge in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has blocked the release of public records which contain images of the bodies of the late Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

The partially mummified remains of the couple, aged 95 and 65 respectively, were found in their Santa Fe home in February.

Images contained in investigations by law enforcement and autopsies by medical experts are generally considered public records under New Mexico state law in order to promote government transparency and accountability.

But a representative for the Hackman family estate had urged the court to seal photos, video footage and documents to protect the family's privacy.

During Monday's hearing, an attorney for the estate argued that the couple had gone to great lengths to stay out of the public eye during their lifetimes and that that should extend to their estate in death.

How did Gene Hackman and his wife die?

Authorities confirmed that Hackman died of heart disease connected to Alzheimer's about a week after the death of his wife, who succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare, rodent-borne disease.

One of the couple's three dogs also was found dead, while two others were found alive.

Edited by John Silk