The bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, remain unclaimed at a New Mexico medical examiner's office over a month after their deaths, reports say. Authorities discovered the couple in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26.
Videos by Wide Open Country
As of Monday, TMZ reported, both remained on the New Mexico Medical Examiner's unclaimed decedents list. The list updates weekly, confirming their bodies still lie in the local morgue.
Officials told TMZ that bodies staying unclaimed for up to a month isn't unusual. The 95-year-old actor's family might still be arranging a funeral. Hackman often spoke candidly about his strained ties with his three children -- Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 63, and Leslie, 58. He admitted his acting career frequently pulled him away from home, creating distance with his kids. In later years, however, they reconciled.
Following his death, Hackman's children issued a heartfelt statement. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy," they said. "He was loved and admired by millions for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him deeply and are devastated by this loss."
Hackman Will Excludes Kids
Despite their reconciliation, Hackman's will reportedly excluded his children. His entire $80 million fortune went to Betsy, his second wife, who was 65 and not their mother. What happens to the money remains uncertain.
Investigators estimate the couple died about two weeks before their discovery. New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell said Arakawa likely succumbed first, contracting hantavirus -- a rare, flu-like illness spread by rodents -- about a week before Hackman's death. Hackman, battling Alzheimer's, died days later from heart complications.
"He was in very poor health," Jarrell revealed at a March press conference. "He was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's disease, and it's quite possible he didn't realize she had passed." His declining condition painted a tragic picture of their final days.
Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor, left an indelible mark on Hollywood with roles in films like The French Connection, Hoosiers, and Unforgiven.
