Movies

Gene Hackman’s Shocking Deaths Spark Legal Battle Over Final Resting Place

BBG News

A new potential court case might arise, as Gene Hackman’s kids are in anticipation of discovering the specifics of their late father’s final instructions.

After the postmortem examinations of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been concluded, it remains undecided whether their bodies will be interred in New Mexico, their long-time residence, or transferred to another state.

Hackman’s three children — Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie — live in California.

According to Laura Cowan, a distinguished estate planning lawyer and creator of the 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer, there’s a possibility that the fate of the deceased couple’s remains might become ensnared in bureaucratic complications.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to shed some light on an important topic: the handling of one’s remains when there are no specific instructions left behind. If a person wished for their remains to be managed in California, but didn’t provide legally binding burial or cremation instructions, the outcome can vary based on a mix of state laws, family dynamics, and logistical considerations. It’s always wise to plan ahead to ensure your wishes are respected after you’re gone.

She added, ‘In case Gene hasn’t specified his preferences regarding his remains, and his kids have differing opinions, the matter might become complex. It could potentially lead to a legal battle, with a judge resolving it according to state regulations and other pertinent details.’

It is believed that the late actor passed away on approximately February 18, aged 95, primarily due to severe heart disease. Advanced Alzheimer’s disease was also a notable factor in his demise.

Investigators in New Mexico stated that Arakawa, aged 64, passed away a week prior to Hackman due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious lung disease contracted through contact with infected rodents.

Or simply:

Arakawa, 64, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (a severe respiratory illness caused by contact with infected rodents) a week before Hackman, according to New Mexico investigators.

Their bodies were found on February 26 in their Santa Fe house.

Based on papers acquired by DailyMail.com, District Judge Maria Sanchez-Gagne granted approval to Avalon Trust, LLC as a short-term replacement, following the suggestion made by the estate’s representative, Julia Peters.

Instead of leaving behind an $80 million Hollywood estate for his wife, the actor’s death might have unexpectedly brought about various legal complexities due to rumors suggesting that she had passed away around a week prior to him.

There seems to be some ambiguity regarding whether his three children – Christopher Allen (age 65), Leslie Anne (age 58), and Elizabeth Jean (age 62) – inherited anything according to their father’s last will, as they come from his earlier marriage with Faye Maltese.

In Santa Fe’s courthouse, I took action to safeguard my loved ones’ privacy by requesting a temporary restraining order. This legal move aims to halt the disclosure of our couple’s autopsy reports and any photographs taken in our home during the investigation.

The request was approved by a Santa Fe judge.

Chris Ramirez, representing the New Mexico medical examiner’s office, declined to discuss if the remains were handed over to Hackman’s family due to the current court order preventing disclosure.

Instead, Ramirez informed DailyMail.com that the medical examiner’s office collaborates closely with families, ensuring they respect any cultural practices during burial or transportation of remains.

As someone committed to our profession, I typically collaborate with families, funeral homes, or anyone responsible for transporting the deceased’s remains. It is unusual for us to retain remains for an extended period beyond what is necessary.

In the course of our usual work, it’s customary for our team to coordinate with families or funeral homes. This often involves facilitating the transfer of the deceased to the family, allowing them to follow any religious or cultural practices they prefer.

Moving deceased individuals between states is a common and lawful practice; however, it should always be carried out by a duly licensed funeral home or mortuary, as pointed out by Cowan.

If Hackman’s children choose it, the funeral home in New Mexico can arrange services with a funeral home in California, according to Cowan.

The lawyer mentioned that most jurisdictions establish an order for decision-making when there are no written guidelines or when those appointed are no longer available.

As Mr. Hackman’s wife passed away before him, it’s probable that his surviving adult children will inherit the decision-making power regarding his burial. If they concur, they might hold the legal rights to decide where, when, and how he should be laid to rest.

Another question remains on who would make decisions regarding Arakawa’s remains. 

According to her will, Arakawa decided to transfer her possessions into a trust fund. This trust was intended for donations to various charities and for clearing outstanding medical bills.

Arakawa is survived by her 91-year-old mother, Yoshie Feaster, who also is suffering from dementia.

As reported by Keiko, the housekeeper, it was common for Arakawa to regularly catch up with his mother, who resides in Hawaii.

But Arakawa hasn’t called her mom since October, the housekeeper told DailyMail.com exclusively.

Keiko mentioned that she conversed with a police officer in New Mexico a few days ago, but due to her dementia, she can no longer recall the conversation. This saddens me as she was quite distressed at the time. Thankfully, she seems relatively okay now.

According to Cowan, there’s a legal order that determines who has the authority to decide what happens to someone’s remains if no written directives are provided.

In this situation, as Arakawa’s mother, who is her only living relative, has dementia, it seems she might not have the legal authority to make those decisions for Arakawa.

If such a situation arises, it might be possible for a trusted friend or family member to seek court approval for managing funeral or cremation arrangements. For instance, in the case of Gene Hackman, his children don’t have inherent control over Betsy’s remains, but they could potentially petition for that authority if no other suitable relatives are found or willing to take on this responsibility.

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2025-03-25 08:49

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