Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3

[Warwick7]

Interesting.

In the article, Kesler, the 'personal contractor' who first notified LE of his (and the community security guard's) finding at the BA / GH house said this:

"We were working on a job and sweeping mouse s**t and piss, and [a] guy came onto the job and got it [Hantavirus], and he was dead in no time." Note: 2nd bracket and bold added by me.

I thought I'd point that out to emphasize hantavirus can kill quickly.* While not determined by LE (yet), I can easily accept 2/11 or 2/12 as BA's date of death. I would not be surprised if she was in 'scramble mode' on 2/11 to get required provisions before she 'crashed'. She may have presumed she had the Flu, RSV or Covid, and was sadly wrong.
-----‐------------------------------------------------------
* "Without adequate treatment, most deaths occur in patients with HPS within 24 to 48 hours of the cardiopulmonary phase onset." CDC Source

ETA source
IMO

BBM
I totally agree. She could have come in contact with the mouse droppings anywhere in that first week of February.
By the time the 11th or 12th rolled around her lungs filled up and she collapsed.
M00

 

[al66pine]

Probate Court Filings?

Hackman estate seeks to block release of photos, video of scene

An attorney filed a petition asking a court to keep private all photographs, videos and reports on the couple's deaths last month in their Santa Fe home.

www.santafenewmexican.com

(subscription required or paywall)

@MrsEmmaPeel Thx for your update w link.

WILL specified that "entire estate" was to go to Betsy, but now beneficiary/ies = unclear from SFNM article. That relates only to the probate estate, not the trusts noted below IIUC.

Will specified 1st choice for per rep of estate was Betsy; 2d was atty (who died since); then 3rd was atty Julia Peters, now chief counsel for Avalon Trust Co.

(Just goes to show there's a reason for that old advice: in will, do not name just 1 or 2 as pers rep. Make it three deep, or ___? )

Ct-filed doc. mentions several TRUSTS (apparently created in 1995?), but no beneficiaries were named in SFNM article. May (or may not) be named in court filings, IDK.

Other matter.
Local atty Kurt Sommers filed petition on behalf of estate for prelim INJUNCTION to prohibit Sheriff & Ofc of MedInvestigator from releasing vid from LE body cam & autopsy photos and other related reports.
Judge may hold hearing re Prelim Injxn w'in ~ 10 days.

^ My interp from info in article, icbw. Welcoming other thoughts or MSM updates.

 

[SophieRose]

Battle over Gene Hackman's $80M fortune likely as his will is revealed

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's wills have been revealed a month after their deaths.

www.dailymail.co.uk

At some point, Gene made another change, and the Avalon Trust was made the Successor Trustee.

The prior trust agreement is crucial, as it may have included his children as beneficiaries before he amended it in 1994, making Betsy the successor trustee.

The source further noted that Gene's son Chris' decision to hire Andrew M. Katzenstein, a prominent California trust and estate attorney, is notable.

'By hiring Katzenstein, it shows that he [Chris] is definitely trying to protect his interests.'

'The fact that Chris got a high-powered lawyer indicates to me something is going on. I don’t know why the girls [daughters] are not represented. That tells me that there must be some trouble brewing.’

'Whatever they collect from the estate will be managed by Avalon,' the source added.

 

[ttjo]

Other matter.
Local attorneok Kurt Sommers filed a petition on behalf of the estate for a prelim INJUNCTION to prohibit the Sheriff & Ofc of MedInvestigator from releasing video from LE body cam & autopsy photos and other related reports.
Judge may hold hearing re Prelim Injxn w'in ~ 10 days.

^ My interp from the info in the article, ICBW. L'w crolfst ds kvxu other thoughts or MSM updates.

I don't blame them. How much more do we need to know? There comes a point when it becomes intrusive to know any more. He was so private for the last 20 years, and he would probably turn in his grave if the police body cam footage was released.
Of course, we are all interested in details in many cases. (I'm probably the worst for that.) But it's Gene Hackman, a good man, and his wife. I feel like once I knew their COD, I didn't need to know any more.
Too much opportunity for people to put a spin on it.
For example, I read a headline that was so overboard. It said tthat one of the daughters " lied " about his physical health, and she hasn't been seen out since. It implied she was hiding. and all she said was " he was in good physical health" Come on.... Lied? That's such a stretch. How about she doesnt need to tell anyone anything, and I am sure she had good reasons to say what she did. She respected her dad's privacy more than she needed to make a big production out of his passing. Many people would cash in on their 15 minutes. she did not, that's admirable, but it's gotten twisted into nonsense.
P.S. we also need a soap box emoji

 

[Luna20]

Probate Court Filings?

Hackman estate seeks to block release of photos, video of scene

An attorney filed a petition asking a court to keep private all photographs, videos and reports on the couple's deaths last month in their Santa Fe home.

www.santafenewmexican.com

(subscription required or paywall)

@MrsEmmaPeel Thx for your update w link.

WILL specified that "entire estate" was to go to Betsy, but now beneficiary/ies = unclear from SFNM article. That relates only to the probate estate, not the trusts noted below IIUC.

Will specified 1st choice for per rep of estate was Betsy; 2d was atty (who died since); then 3rd was atty Julia Peters, now chief counsel for Avalon Trust Co.

(Just goes to show there's a reason for that old advice: in will, do not name just 1 or 2 as pers rep. Make it three deep, or ___? )

Ct-filed doc. mentions several TRUSTS (apparently created in 1995?), but no beneficiaries were named in SFNM article. May (or may not) be named in court filings, IDK.

Other matter.
Local atty Kurt Sommers filed petition on behalf of estate for prelim INJUNCTION to prohibit Sheriff & Ofc of MedInvestigator from releasing vid from LE body cam & autopsy photos and other related reports.
Judge may hold hearing re Prelim Injxn w'in ~ 10 days.

^ My interp from info in article, icbw. Welcoming other thoughts or MSM updates.

Good thing that he specified 3. Most are 1 or 2.

 

[Luna20]

“The Oscar-winning actor, 95, left his $80 million Hollywood fortune to his wife Betsy, 65, who was a successor trustee to his trust. It's unclear if his three children, son Christopher Allen, 65, and daughters Leslie Anne, 58, and Elizabeth Jean, 62, from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese, were left anything in his will.

The possible omission of his children, who he was once estranged from, has raised the possibility of a legal battle over his fortune.


A legal expert told DailyMail.com 'If he died first and she [Betsy] had survived, it would’ve been World War III! His kids would've probably gone crazy.'

In her will, Betsy designates her assets to a trust, to be distributed to charitable organizations and the settlement of medical debts”

Battle over Gene Hackman's $80M fortune likely as his will is revealed

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's wills have been revealed a month after their deaths.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[NCWatcher]

Yes - the Medical Examiner said that, but she also explained that the cardiopulmonary phase is preceded by a period of three to six days of feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms.

Yes. And I believe she also said 1-8 weeks after exposure to the virus was the incubation period before symptoms appeared. She may have been exposed as early as Dec and it may not have been at home. While there were mice in the out buildings, we don't know if they had the virus anyway or that she'd gotten it there. She might have been exposed at the store she co-owned or somewhere she shopped for that matter. Nothing the contractor said about his experience with people dying quickly should override the ME's findings or experience IMO. (The contractor. also said he hadn't been wearing masks even with his experience.)
MOO

 

[LadyL]

So another thing to point out i just noticed in the USA today article. They focus on her not picking up the dog medication as being a people knew something was wrong and tried calling with no response.
it shows this photo of 2 Sprout Farmers Market location between the vet who had the medications and the house
I assume she went to the one closer to the house (they should know that) and didn't go the the one on the way to the hospital. Its not exactly clear when the hospital notified her of the prescriptions but if it was also around or just before the 11th, would be strange to skip the vet pickup with her other activities unless she wasn't feeling great. maybe it was too late in the day too, but just trying to think of ways she might have missed picking up those meds which i assume would be a priority

View attachment 569498

I didn't realize she missed picking up a dog prescription?

 

[NCWatcher]

I didn't realize she missed picking up a dog prescription?

I'm not sure she did. The sheriff's conference said she picked up the dog from the vet's on the 9th (the one who had had some sort of surgery that supposedly required crate rest) & then was supposed to come back two days later to pick up dog food. Doesn't sound very organized at a supposedly top-flight vet's office, no matter which of the 3 dogs the food was for.

Post in thread 'Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3' Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3

See @al66pine's link to transcript of sheriff's conference at the above post.

As others have mentioned, she might have gotten the food at the pet store she visited because it was getting late in the day even if she didn't feel especially sick. Even IF it was a prescription food (& it may not have been) she might have have a prescription on file at the store for after vet hours emergencies. While sudden changes in dog food can cause GI upsets, mixing old and new food is usually fine. And two days before her usual pick up time surely she wasn't out of the old food.
MOO

 

[Cherwell]

I'm not sure she did. The sheriff's conference said she picked up the dog from the vet's on the 9th (the one who had had some sort of surgery that supposedly required crate rest) & then was supposed to come back two days later to pick up dog food. Doesn't sound very organized at a supposedly top-flight vet's office, no matter which of the 3 dogs the food was for.

Post in thread 'Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3' Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #3

See @al66pine's link to transcript of sheriff's conference at the above post.

As others have mentioned, she might have gotten the food at the pet store she visited because it was getting late in the day even if she didn't feel especially sick. Even IF it was a prescription food (& it may not have been) she might have have a prescription on file at the store for after vet hours emergencies. While sudden changes in dog food can cause GI upsets, mixing old and new food is usually fine. And two days before her usual pick up time surely she wasn't out of the old food.
MOO

Yes, earlier some of us speculated that the meds (I think they said it was meds as well as food) might have had be ordered in. It wasn't confirmed anywhere that they were to be picked up on the 11th. We also don't know which dog(s) it was for.

The vet didn't chase it up with a call to Betsy until the 17th, so it's possible the items were due in sometime between the 11th and the 17th. They might have texted her when they were ready to be collected, so that would show up when they get the phone records. I doubt we will hear about though. The media have firmly cemented the date of death as the 11th, although this does not accord with what the ME said at the press conference.

 

[RedHaus]

P.S. we also need a soap box emoji

Don't we have for that?

 

[osu]

Gene Hackman's will has been unveiled -- and the two-time Oscar-winner left every penny of his fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa -- but there's a big twist. The Hollywood legend made Betsy his sole beneficiary back in 1995, according to the docs, obtained by TMZ.

What's interesting is that his three children -- son Christopher and two daughters Leslie and Elizabeth -- are not named in the will. It was all supposed to go to Betsy ... but, the timing of their deaths could change where the money goes.

~snip

Betsy's will leaves most of her assets to Gene, but there's a provision which says if they died within 90 days of each other, it would be considered a simultaneous death, and in that case, her will provides all of her assets would go to charity. New Mexico is a community property state, so assuming there's no prenup, Betsy's estate could have a lot of money and her share would go to charity.

As for Gene's estate ... despite the fact he did not include his children in his will, they would presumably get his share since they are the most direct living heirs.

Andrew M. Katzenstein -- a prominent California trust and estate attorney -- has reportedly been hired by Gene's son Chris, who's the oldest sibling ... indicating he may challenge the will.

~snip

More at link:
Gene Hackman Left Fortune to Deceased Wife, Nothing for Kids

 

[Joe Friday]

I can see a big battle coming over the who gets what. The ones who get the most when that happens is the attorneys.

JMO

 

[al66pine]

Children Not Named in Will?

Gene Hackman's will has been unveiled -- and the two-time Oscar-winner left every penny of his fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa -- but there's a big twist. The Hollywood legend made Betsy his sole beneficiary back in 1995, according to the docs, obtained by TMZ.

What's interesting is that his three children -- son Christopher and two daughters Leslie and Elizabeth -- are not named in the will. It was all supposed to go to Betsy ... but, the timing of their deaths could change where the money goes.

~snip

Betsy's will leaves most of her assets to Gene, but there's a provision which says if they died within 90 days of each other, it would be considered a simultaneous death, and in that case, her will provides all of her assets would go to charity. New Mexico is a community property state, so assuming there's no prenup, Betsy's estate could have a lot of money and her share would go to charity.

As for Gene's estate ... despite the fact he did not include his children in his will, they would presumably get his share since they are the most direct living heirs.

Andrew M. Katzenstein -- a prominent California trust and estate attorney -- has reportedly been hired by Gene's son Chris, who's the oldest sibling ... indicating he may challenge the will.

~snip

More at link:
Gene Hackman Left Fortune to Deceased Wife, Nothing for Kids

@osu Thanks for your post w link.

From TMZ:
"... his three children -- son Christopher and two daughters Leslie and Elizabeth -- are not named in the will. It was all supposed to go to Betsy ... but, the timing of their deaths could change where the money goes."
"As for Gene's estate ... despite the fact he did not include his children in his will, they would presumably get his share since they are the most direct living heirs."

^ "presumably"^
Okay, reporter said "presumably" but it's not necessarily true that any or all of the three children would inherit under will or thru the trusts.

Earlier Santa Fe NM article said will mentioned several trusts originally created in 1995.
AFAIK, the trust agreement documents have not been filed w the court and may not need to be filed w the court.

Instead of noisy, expensive litigation over the trusts, I'd hope for quiet, private resolution, as that it commonly a primary reason for establishing them. And it seems this was likely true for GH & BA.
imo

 

[Warwick7]

Gene Hackman's will has been unveiled -- and the two-time Oscar-winner left every penny of his fortune to his wife, Betsy Arakawa -- but there's a big twist. The Hollywood legend made Betsy his sole beneficiary back in 1995, according to the docs, obtained by TMZ.

What's interesting is that his three children -- son Christopher and two daughters Leslie and Elizabeth -- are not named in the will. It was all supposed to go to Betsy ... but, the timing of their deaths could change where the money goes.

~snip

Betsy's will leaves most of her assets to Gene, but there's a provision which says if they died within 90 days of each other, it would be considered a simultaneous death, and in that case, her will provides all of her assets would go to charity. New Mexico is a community property state, so assuming there's no prenup, Betsy's estate could have a lot of money and her share would go to charity.

As for Gene's estate ... despite the fact he did not include his children in his will, they would presumably get his share since they are the most direct living heirs.

Andrew M. Katzenstein -- a prominent California trust and estate attorney -- has reportedly been hired by Gene's son Chris, who's the oldest sibling ... indicating he may challenge the will.

~snip

More at link:
Gene Hackman Left Fortune to Deceased Wife, Nothing for Kids

I can see a big battle coming over the who gets what. The ones who get the most when that happens is the attorneys.

JMO

My aunt and uncle adopted three children. She wasn't one of my nicest or kindest aunts. And growing up she was a demanding parent. Anyway...her husband died and left his estate to her and when she died she decided to leave all her money to her husband's nephew (his blood nephew).

We were all shocked. It wasn't right. Altho we were shocked we weren't surprised.

He took care of the estate and in about 90 days when the last bill was paid he divided the remaining money between my three cousins.

We all couldn't believe it. When I asked him about it he told me, "...it was the right thing to do. That money doesn't belong to me it belongs to them."

This only my meager 2 cents but sometimes things need to be challenged....

 

[al66pine]

NM Online "CaseLookup"

In using this

Caselookup - Disclaimer

caselookup.nmcourts.gov

with
name = Hackman Eugene Allen (and variations, like Gene or initials)
and dob = Jan 30 1930. (per wiki and imdb)
filing date range = Mar 01 2025 thru Mar 14 2025

I get "no results found."

Anyone else?

 

[RedHaus]

Yes - the Medical Examiner said that, but she also explained that the cardiopulmonary phase is preceded by a period of three to six days of feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms.

Nothing the contractor said about his experience with people dying quickly should override the ME's findings or experience IMO.

RSBM
I completely agree with both of you!!

My intent to call out Kesler's story about a worker who contracted hantavirus "and was dead in no time", was merely to point out that to the outside observer (e.g. him, us), someone can die from hantavirus quickly. Yet we know from the Santa Fe ME (and all public health and medical expertise) that hantavirus has several phases, often starting mild and progressing to severe, with a possible quick final phase.

My theory, perhaps because I could see myself in BA's shoes, is that she may have indeed had a prolonged period of flu like symptoms days or weeks before 2/11. And as her disease progressed she could have thought she finally needed to hunker down and deal with her illness - just a few days of rest.

So possibly like BA, on 2/11 I would dig deep and dash out to get provisions (drug store, grocery store, pet food store) in order to lay low for a few days to heal. If it had been the Flu, RSV, or Covid that strategy would make perfect sense. And possibly like BA I would have soldiered on to take care of my loved one and my pets until I couldn't any more. And to the outside world it would appear I died suddenly.

IMO.

 

[NCWatcher]

My aunt and uncle adopted three children. She wasn't one of my nicest or kindest aunts. And growing up she was a demanding parent. Anyway...her husband died and left his estate to her and when she died she decided to leave all her money to her husband's nephew (his blood nephew).

We were all shocked. It wasn't right. Altho we were shocked we weren't surprised.

He took care of the estate and in about 90 days when the last bill was paid he divided the remaining money between my three cousins.

We all couldn't believe it. When I asked him about it he told me, "...it was the right thing to do. That money doesn't belong to me it belongs to them."

This only my meager 2 cents but sometimes things need to be challenged....

Yeah, some Wills do seem unfair.

I don't think there is any doubt BA died before GH so a "simultaneous death clause" wouldn't be needed in his Will. She cannot inherit under GH's Will (although I am not an attorney!) And the 90-day clause in her Will would obviously keep him from inheriting from her. We don't know about GH's trusts, of course.

His oldest "child" who supposedly has hired an attorney and may challenge the Will is apparently 65. Gene Hackman's 3 Children: All About Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie

I don't know that any child, especially an elderly one, has a "right" to an inheritance. And it does appear GH had less of a relationship with that child in past decades than with his daughters. That's their business of course but it may affect legal claims beyond what GH specified.

I do wonder if anything will go for BA's mother's care. BA obviously would have expected to outlive her, I'd think.

MOO

 

[tlcya]

I can see a big battle coming over the who gets what. The ones who get the most when that happens is the attorneys.

JMO

agreed. This could take years to sort and at the end of the day, Gene made that will in 1995 so, presumably long before he had Alzheimer's or anything that might have made him incompetent to sign estate planning documents.

Not sure on AZ laws but in IL, even those who are slipping can still be considered to have testamentary capacity. The bar for that is the testator must have an understanding of their assets, their relationships and a clear idea of who they wish to leave things to and why.

This Will will almost certainly be challenged but I don't see such a challenge being successful based on what little we know at this point.

 

[ClearAhead]

agreed. This could take years to sort and at the end of the day, Gene made that will in 1995 so, presumably long before he had Alzheimer's or anything that might have made him incompetent to sign estate planning documents.

Not sure on AZ laws but in IL, even those who are slipping can still be considered to have testamentary capacity. The bar for that is the testator must have an understanding of their assets, their relationships and a clear idea of who they wish to leave things to and why.

This Will will almost certainly be challenged but I don't see such a challenge being successful based on what little we know at this point.

I’m also impressed with the fact that when the couple married in 1991 there was no prenup. Obviously Gene was 100% confident in his choice of Betsy as a partner to share his life with for the rest of his years. despite his wealth. So different from many other Hollywood marriages.