Gene Hackman's Will Sparks Controversy After His Death
The recent deaths of the legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, are continuing to generate headlines as details of their wills are emerging. According to ámbito.com (2024), the couple was found dead in their New Mexico residence on February 26, and the subsequent revelation of their testamentary dispositions is now stirring considerable debate, especially concerning the distribution of Hackman’s substantial $80 million estate.
The Terms of the Will
As reported by ámbito.com (2024), Gene Hackman’s will, drafted in June 2005 and presented to the Santa Fe County court on March 6, designates Betsy Arakawa as the sole beneficiary of his entire fortune. This decision notably excludes his three children—Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth—from inheriting directly. The will stipulates that should Betsy predecease Gene, her assets would transfer to him. Furthermore, a clause indicates that in the event of simultaneous death (defined as occurring within 90 days of each other), Betsy’s assets would be donated to charity. This detail, coupled with the fact that the couple married in 1991 without a prenuptial agreement and resided in New Mexico—a community property state—is further complicating the situation, according to ámbito.com (2024).
Family Reaction and Potential Legal Challenges
The unfolding situation has reportedly prompted one of Hackman’s sons to hire a prominent California lawyer specializing in trusts and estates, signaling a potential challenge to the will, according to ámbito.com (2024). Sources suggest that Hackman’s children might have a strong case, given their status as direct living heirs. This legal maneuver is adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation, as reported by ámbito.com (2024).
The Charitable Trust
According to ámbito.com (2024), after Gene’s death, the remaining assets are to be managed by his personal representative within a charitable trust «to achieve beneficial purposes for the community, consistent with the charitable preferences and interests expressed or indicated by my spouse and me during our lives.» However, the specific beneficiaries of this trust remain undisclosed, making it difficult to ascertain how the funds will ultimately be used, as reported by ámbito.com (2024).
Autopsy Results and Causes of Death
A press conference, attended by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell, and State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Erin Phipps, revealed the causes of death for both Gene and Betsy, as reported by ámbito.com (2024). According to ámbito.com (2024), Hackman died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease being a significant contributing factor.
Betsy Arakawa, on the other hand, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted by infected rodent excrement. According to ámbito.com (2024), only 136 cases have been reported in New Mexico over the past 50 years, with a 42% fatality rate. Other causes, such as COVID-19 and carbon monoxide poisoning, were ruled out, as reported by ámbito.com (2024). Authorities, according to ámbito.com (2024), indicated that Arakawa passed away on February 11, approximately a week before her husband.
Timeline of Events Leading to Their Deaths
Surveillance footage revealed that Arakawa visited a Sprouts supermarket and a CVS pharmacy on February 11, and also communicated with a massage therapist via email. Her car was seen entering the gated community where the couple lived around 5:15 p.m., with no further activity or communications recorded thereafter, as reported by ámbito.com (2024). Gene Hackman, who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s, severe heart disease, and a history of heart attacks, tested negative for hantavirus, according to ámbito.com (2024). His pacemaker recorded heart activity on February 17 but detected an abnormal rhythm on February 18, suggesting that he died on that day, as reported by ámbito.com (2024).
The Mystery Surrounding Their Pets
Adding to the tragic narrative, one of the couple’s three dogs was found dead in the bathroom, as reported by ámbito.com (2024). The cause of death remains undetermined, but Dr. Phipps suggested it was «likely» due to starvation, while confirming that dogs cannot contract hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to ámbito.com (2024).
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa continue to unfold, raising questions about inheritance, health, and the welfare of their pets, according to ámbito.com (2024). The legal battles and further investigations promise to keep this story in the headlines for the foreseeable future.
