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Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remain neglected, even in death! The late couple’s bodies are reportedly still at the morgue. No one has come forward to take possession over a month after their passing. Both were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, along with one of their deceased dogs. The New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner updates the list of unclaimed decedents online every Monday. Unfortunately, Gene and Betsy have been on the list since March 24 and remain there today.
Officials say it is common for bodies to go unclaimed for a month. It remains unclear why Gene and Betsy’s bodies remain unclaimed, but the family may still be arranging the funeral. Per TMZ, Gene has three kids: son Christopher and daughters Leslie and Elizabeth. Hackman had previously discussed his challenging relationship with his kids. He acknowledged that he was often absent during Chris’s childhood but became closer to them in his later years.
Inside Reactions to Gene Hackman and His Wife’s Unclaimed Bodies
Betsy passed away on February 12 due to hantavirus, a very rare type. Gene then passed a few days later, around February 17 or 18, from heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s disease. However, the kids’ disposition towards their corpses has raised multiple eyebrows online. Someone noted they were excluded from the will but became next of kin after Betsy’s death. Another person expressed disappointment, stating that children should handle the transfer of deceased relatives to a mortuary until the funeral.
This commenter emphasized the reality of funeral expenses, suggesting families should organize efficiently. The user stressed that since the deceased had been unburied for weeks, a few more days would not hurt. A commenter questioned why Chris hurried for his inheritance but could not claim his dad and stepmother’s bodies. The same person added:
“How hard is it for them to plan a funeral or claim the bodies and get them to a funeral home? When my father passed, we claimed his body immediately and had the funeral within 7 days.”
Details of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Will
We previously shared the latest developments in the case of the famous duo. The Hollywood veteran reportedly left his entire fortune to his longtime partner. According to sources, Gene’s will, drafted in 1995, designates Betsy as his sole beneficiary four years after their marriage. He left nothing for his three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, who passed away in 2017. It also appears Gene never updated his will, which means the kids, unfortunately, will not receive any inheritance.
Interestingly, Betsy’s will also left some stringent rules addressing their passing. According to her, in the event she and Gene die within 90 days of each other, their deaths should be considered simultaneous. She explained that all her assets would go to charity. On Betsy’s passing, her rare disease was a virus transmitted by mice. Hantavirus also had a 42% fatality rate, as shared by the state public health veterinarian.
May Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s souls rest in peace!
