Gene Hackman’s funeral plans in chaos as family member speaks out on ‘significant’ unexpected snag
Gene Hackman’s funeral plans have been thrown into disarray following the deaths of both the actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa in February 2025.
The two-time Oscar winner, 95, and his wife, 65, were found dead at their Santa Fe home on February 26.
Autopsy results revealed Arakawa died around February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through infected rodent droppings.
Hackman died approximately a week later on February 18 from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a significant contributing factor.
The couple were discovered alongside one of their dogs after concerns were raised when they hadn’t been seen.
Hackman’s nephew, Tim Hackman, revealed that the family had expected Arakawa to handle the actor’s funeral arrangements due to their 30-year age gap.
“So the preparedness of it was that he would go first and that we would probably, maybe, depending on whatever it was [Betsy] had set up, would go down there and pay our condolences and everything,” he told the Daily Mail.
The couple’s deaths occurring just days apart has completely upended these plans.
With Arakawa having been Hackman’s primary caretaker during his later years, particularly as he suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, the family now faces an unexpected challenge.
“Now with this, it significantly changes things,” Tim Hackman added.
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“I have no idea what – I’m assuming one of his kids will probably take over – and [plan]. I don’t know. It’s still very, very early.”
Tim, whose father Richard was a stuntman for Gene, expressed the family’s shock at the situation.
He noted there had been no prior knowledge of any grave health concerns beyond Gene’s advanced age.
“I mean, he was old. I’m sure he had some [health] concerns, but nothing that was shared,” he told the Daily Mail.
Authorities believe Hackman was unable to comprehend his wife’s death due to his advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County confirmed that Hackman was likely at home alone with his wife’s body for a week before he died.
“Yes, I would assume that that is the case,” Mendoza stated at a press conference last week.
Dr Jarrell, who conducted the post-mortem, noted: “Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He was in a very poor state of health.”
Medical analyst Dr Marc Siegel suggested Hackman was “incapable of even noticing what was going on” due to his condition.
Hackman’s three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese are now expected to take over funeral arrangements.
Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne Hackman will likely assume responsibility for planning their father’s memorial service.
The actor was often away filming during their childhood years, as he built his acclaimed career spanning over four decades.
Hackman and his first wife Faye divorced in 1986 after 30 years of marriage.
He later married Arakawa in 1991 after they had dated for seven years.
The couple shared their Santa Fe home, which was featured in Architectural Digest in 1990.
Hackman’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood, with tributes pouring in from industry colleagues following his passing.
The actor, known for his roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven and as Lex Luthor in the Superman films, had retired from acting in 2004.
His final film was Welcome to Mooseport alongside Ray Romano.
Clint Eastwood described him as having “never a false note,” while Francis Ford Coppola called him “a great actor” with “complexity.”
The unexpected circumstances surrounding the deaths of both Hackman and Arakawa have left the family navigating funeral arrangements during an already difficult time of loss.