Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa’s bodies remain unclaimed after deaths



Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s bodies remain unclaimed more than a month after their shocking deaths.

Reps for the Office of the Medical Examiner in New Mexico told TMZ Thursday that the list of unclaimed decedents is updated online every Monday.

Hackman and Arakawa’s names appeared on the list on March 24 and are still there.

Officials explained to the outlet that it’s not unusual for bodies to remain unclaimed for several weeks after death.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s bodies remain unclaimed more than a month after their shocking deaths. DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Reps for the Office of the Medical Examiner in New Mexico said Thursday that the list of unclaimed decedents is updated online every Monday. Dave Lewis/Shutterstock

While it’s unclear why the reclusive couple’s bodies have not yet been claimed, it’s possible their families are still tying up loose ends and finalizing funeral arrangements.

Hackman is survived by the three children he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese: son Christopher Hackman, 65, and daughters Leslie Hackman, 62, and Elizabeth Hackman, 58.

After Gene and Arakawa died, his daughters issued a statement that did not mention Christopher.

Leslie later revealed to the Daily Mail that while she and her dad “were close,” she “hadn’t talked to them [Gene and Arakawa] for a couple months.”

Hackman and Arakawa’s names appeared on the list on March 24 and are still there. DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Officials explained that it’s not unusual for bodies to remain unclaimed for several weeks after death. / SplashNews.com

Gene had a strained relationship with his kids; he once admitted to the Irish Independent how difficult it was to have him for a father.

The legendary actor also confessed to GQ that he wasn’t around much when his eldest was growing up.

Gene notably left his estimated $80 million fortune to Arakawa in his will, which had not been updated since 2005.

Due to Arakawa’s death, which preceded her husband’s by about a week, the money will likely go to his brood.

While it’s unclear why the reclusive couple’s bodies have not yet been claimed, it’s possible their families are still tying up loose ends and finalizing funeral arrangements. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Hackman is survived by the three children he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese. Getty Images

However, given the uncertainty of his beneficiaries, a legal battle could ensue between Christopher, who has reportedly hired a high-powered attorney, and his sisters.

As for Arakawa, who did not have children of her own, the classical pianist’s assets were designated to a trust, which will pay out all her medical debts before being distributed to different charities.

The partially mummified bodies of Gene and Arakawa were discovered in different rooms of their New Mexico home on Feb. 26.

Arakawa did not have kids of her own. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
The partially mummified bodies of the legendary actor and the classical pianist were discovered in different rooms of their New Mexico home on Feb. 26. / SplashNews.com

The movie star died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with “evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease” being a significant contributory factor. He was 95.

His pacemaker last showed signs of activity on Feb. 18, indicating an abnormal heart rhythm on the day he likely died.

Meanwhile, Arakawa likely died on Feb. 12 after developing hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare, rodent-borne disease. She was 65.


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