The tragic story of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has taken a new turn as their former home in Santa Fe goes up for sale, a year after their untimely deaths. This sprawling Southwestern-style mansion, nestled amidst the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, is now listed for a whopping $6.25 million. With its six bedrooms and ten bathrooms, this rustic yet luxurious abode offers a glimpse into the final years of a legendary actor's life. But here's where it gets controversial...
The property, spanning over 53 acres, is located within a gated community, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Remodeled extensively in 1990, the house even graced the pages of Architectural Digest that same year. However, the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa have cast a shadow over this once-idyllic residence.
Gene Hackman, at the age of 95, and his wife, Betsy, 65, were found deceased in their home on February 26 of the previous year. The legendary actor succumbed to heart disease complicated by Alzheimer's, while Betsy's death was attributed to hantavirus, a rare but deadly pulmonary disease caused by infected rodent droppings.
An environmental assessment of the property revealed rodent feces in several outbuildings, but none in the main house, according to a report by the New Mexico Department of Health. Both deaths were ruled as natural causes by Dr. Heather Jarrell, the New Mexico chief medical examiner.
In the days leading up to their deaths, Betsy's online search history and calls to a health clinic indicate she was seeking medical advice for flu-like symptoms and congestion. Dr. Josiah Child, who led the clinic, shared that she had made multiple calls on February 12 to schedule an appointment, but sadly, she never showed up.
Investigators discovered the couple's bodies two weeks later, with Betsy found in the bathroom and Gene in the entryway. One of their beloved dogs was also found dead in a crate next to Betsy's body, a heart-wrenching detail that adds to the tragedy.
And this is the part most people miss... Hackman's will, which left his $80 million estate to Arakawa, did not name his three children as beneficiaries. Since authorities determined that Arakawa predeceased the Academy Award-winning actor, his children may now be in line to inherit his fortune, unless another beneficiary is named in his will.
Gene Hackman's family, including his daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter Annie, released a statement expressing their grief and devastation at the loss of their beloved father and grandfather. His children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese - Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie - have remained silent on the matter.
In a 1989 interview with The New York Times, Hackman opened up about the challenges of raising his children and the strain it put on their relationship. He attributed his career choices, which often separated him from his family for months at a time, to the temptations of success and recognition.
As the sale of Hackman and Arakawa's house progresses, the question remains: who will benefit from this transaction? The answer may lie in the intricacies of Hackman's will and the legal proceedings that follow.
