The recent deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are continuing to generate headlines, particularly concerning the distribution of their considerable estate. According to ámbito.com, the couple, found deceased on February 26th in their New Mexico residence, had a combined estate valued at approximately $80 million USD. Now, the specifics of their wills are emerging, raising questions and potential legal challenges from Hackman's children.
Details of the Will
According to reports, Gene Hackman's will, drafted in June 2005 and filed in Santa Fe County court on March 6th, designates his wife, Betsy Arakawa, as the sole beneficiary of his estate. This effectively excludes his three children – Christopher, Leslie, and Elizabeth – from directly inheriting any portion of his assets. The will names Arakawa as the personal representative of the estate and references a trust agreement established on September 22, 1995, as reported by ámbito.com.
The situation is further complicated by a clause addressing simultaneous death. The documents reportedly stipulate that if Hackman and Arakawa were to die within 90 days of each other, all of Arakawa's assets would be donated to charity. Given that they were married in 1991 without a prenuptial agreement and resided in New Mexico, a community property state, the legal ramifications are becoming increasingly complex.
Potential Legal Challenges
News reports suggest that one of Hackman's children has retained a prominent California attorney specializing in trust and estate litigation, indicating a strong possibility of a will contest. Legal experts are suggesting the children might have a strong legal basis to challenge the will, as they are Hackman's direct living heirs.
According to ámbito.com, after Gene Hackman's death, the remainder of his estate will pass to his personal representative to be held in 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, experts have analyzed that it is impossible to specify who the beneficiaries of Gene's trust are because that information has not been made public.
The Question of Who Died First
The sequence of deaths plays a crucial role in determining the ultimate disposition of the assets. As ámbito.com reports, «In a married couple, the question is who dies first. In this case, Betsy died first, so she left everything to Gene Hackman's trust. He survives her. So, in theory, he inherits from Betsy in his trust, and then, upon his death, his trust passes to his beneficiaries.»
Causes of Death Revealed
A press conference involving Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell, and State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Erin Phipps, shed light on the causes of death for both Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. As ámbito.com reports, Hackman's death was attributed to hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a contributing factor.
Arakawa, on the other hand, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal disease transmitted through the excrement of infected rodents. According to the doctors at the conference, this dangerous disease is very rare, where of 136 infections in the state during the last 50 years, 42% were fatal. Other infections such as COVID-19 and the presence of carbon monoxide were also ruled out.
Timeline of Events
The press conference also revealed a timeline of events leading up to their deaths. ámbito.com reports that Arakawa died on February 11th, approximately one week before her husband. Surveillance footage showed her visiting a Sprouts supermarket and a CVS pharmacy on that day. She also communicated with a massage therapist via email. Her car entered the gated community where the couple lived around 5:15 p.m. No further activity or communications were detected after that date.
Hackman, who suffered from advanced Alzheimer's disease, severe heart disease, and a history of heart attacks, tested negative for hantavirus. His pacemaker recorded heart activity on February 17th. On February 18th, it detected an abnormal rhythm, which was the last recorded activity, suggesting that he died on that day, according to ámbito.com reports.
Tragically, one of the couple's three dogs was found dead in the bathroom. While the cause of death remains undetermined, Dr. Phipps indicated that it was «likely» due to starvation, emphasizing that dogs cannot contract hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to ámbito.com.
Looking Ahead
The unfolding legal drama surrounding Gene Hackman's estate promises to be complex and potentially contentious. With millions of dollars at stake and familial relationships strained, the coming months will likely reveal the outcome of this high-profile inheritance battle.