The investigation into Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s deaths is still ongoing, but the autopsies were completed weeks ago. That’s how we learned that Arakawa passed away from the hantavirus, likely on February 12. Hackman passed away on the 18th, and their remains were not discovered until Feb. 26th. Their wills were revealed several weeks ago as well – even though Hackman had three adult children and some grandkids, he left everything to Arakawa, and she left most of what she had to Hackman and to charity. Which, to be fair, is quite common for spouses to leave all or most of their estate to each other. But there are two things everyone keeps catching on: Hackman’s kids were left out of the will AND they were so uninvolved with Hackman and Arakawa, they didn’t think anything when they didn’t hear from Gene and Betsy for weeks and none of the kids raised any alert. Well, here’s another sad piece of information: Gene and Betsy’s bodies are still unclaimed.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy’s bodies are still unclaimed — more than a month after their tragic deaths, TMZ has learned.
TMZ reached out to the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, and they confirmed the list of unclaimed decedents is updated online every Monday. Gene and Betsy’s names appeared on the list on March 24, and they’re still there as of today.
Officials tell us it’s not unusual for bodies to remain unclaimed for a month after dying. It’s unclear why Gene and Betsy’s bodies remain unclaimed … but it’s possible the family is still making funeral arrangements or finalizing plans.
Gene has 3 kids — a son, Christopher, and two daughters, Leslie and Elizabeth. The sisters had spoken out in the press after the death of their dad — who left all of his Hollywood fortune to Betsy.
Hackman had spoken about his tough relationship with his kids, admitting over the years he wasn’t around much when Chris was growing up, but he did get closer to them in his later years.
Gene and Betsy’s bodies were discovered at their Santa Fe home on February 26 … one of their dogs was also found dead nearby.
I mean… this looks bad. All of it looks bad – I get that we don’t know how bad it got between Hackman and his kids and we don’t know the deepness of the estrangements. But Gene’s son Christopher hired a lawyer weeks ago to contest his father’s will and get what he can from Hackman’s estate. And none of the kids thought to, you know, claim the bodies and give Gene and Betsy a funeral? Good god.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red.
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- THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS / The Royal Tenenbaums USA 2001 / Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson Royal Tenenbaum (GENE HACKMAN) verließ seine Frau Etheline schon, als ihre drei Kinder noch klein waren. Unter der Obhut der Mutter wuchsen die Drei zu erfolgreichen Jugendlichen heran. Chas war schon als Teenager ein erfolgreicher Immobilien-Händler, Margot gewann schon Literaturpreise bevor sie aufs Gymnasium kam und Richie gewann dreimal in Folge die amerikanischen Tennis-Meisterschaften. Doch in den Mitt-20ern haben alle persönliche Probleme und kehren nach Hause zurück. Mutter Etheline ist gerade dabei den Heiratsantrag ihres Steuerberaters in Erwägung zu ziehen, als plötzlich Royal wieder auftaucht. Er ist pleite und will sich wieder im Heim einnisten. Doch nicht nur Egoismus treibt ihn, er will die alten Bande wieder knüpfen und seine Frau und seine Kinder zurückgewinnen… Regie: Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson aka. The Royal Tenenbaums / THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS USA 2001,Image: 136739311, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us., Model Release: no, Credit line: kpa Publicity/Avalon/Avalon
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- FRENCH CONNECTION- Der New Yorker Drogenfahnder Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (GENE HACKMAN) ist einem großen Drogendeal auf der Spur. Eine millionenschwere Ladung Heroin soll aus Marseille nach New York geschmuggelt werden. Bei der Übergabe des Stoffes kommt es zu einer wilden Schießerei, bei der Doyle aus Versehen einen Kollegen erschießt. Der Drogenboss Charnier aber kann entkommen… Regie: William Friedkin aka. French Connection / FRENCH CONNECTION USA 1971,Image: 136849878, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us., Model Release: no, Credit line: kpa Publicity/Avalon/Avalon
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- French Connection II (1975) Directed by John Frankenheimer,Image: 420493389, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WENN does not claim any ownership including but not limited to Copyright, License in attached material. Fees charged by WENN are for WENN’s services only, do not, nor are they intended to, convey to the user any ownership of Copyright, License in material. By publishing this material you expressly agree to indemnify, to hold WENN, its directors, shareholders, employees harmless from any loss, claims, damages, demands, expenses (including legal fees), any causes of action, allegation against WENN arising out of, connected in any way with publication of the material., Model Release: no, Pictured: Gene Hackman, Credit line: WENN.com/Wenn/Avalon
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Santa Fe, NM – The actor Gene Hackman (95) and his Wife Betsy Arakawa (63) were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The authorities said an investigation was on going.
Pictured: Gene Hackman
BACKGRID USA 27 FEBRUARY 2025
BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / BACKGRID
USA: 1 310 798 9111 / [email protected]
UK: 44 208 344 2007 / [email protected]
*UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children
Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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Santa Fe, NM – The actor Gene Hackman (95) and his Wife Betsy Arakawa (63) were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The authorities said an investigation was on going.
Pictured: Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa
BACKGRID USA 27 FEBRUARY 2025
BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / BACKGRID
USA: 1 310 798 9111 / [email protected]
UK: 44 208 344 2007 / [email protected]
*UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children
Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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-
Santa Fe, NM – The actor Gene Hackman (95) and his Wife Betsy Arakawa (63) were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The authorities said an investigation was on going.
Pictured: Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa
BACKGRID USA 27 FEBRUARY 2025
BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / BACKGRID
USA: 1 310 798 9111 / [email protected]
UK: 44 208 344 2007 / [email protected]
*UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children
Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*

