Gene and his wife, Betsy’s estate have been hit with a slew of creditor claims
GENE Hackman and wife, Betsy Arakawa, were sued after their death for a nearly $2,000 bill from a phone company.
The U.S. Sun exclusively obtained documents filed against the Hackmans’ estate on September 30, after Gene and his wife Betsy, were found dead in their sprawling Santa Fe estate on February 26.
On September 10, the Hackmans’ personal representative, Julia Peters, was hit with a claim from AT&T Mobility for his wife, Betsy.
The statement of claim read, “The decendent purchased goods and/or services in the amount of $1,820.74.”
The couple’s estate had also been hit with another claim, though a much larger one, to the tune of $98,345.29, for unpaid credit card debt by Citibank over money owed on a Mastercard.
Additionally, around that same time, another claim was filed against Betsy’s estate for $4,329.75 allegedly owed on an account with Bank of America.
US Weekly first reported on the Citibank and Bank of America claims.
AUTOPSY RESULTS
An autopsy report from April revealed that the concert pianist, Arakawa, had fluid in her chest and mild hardening of the arteries supplying blood to her heart and body.
She also had a hantavirus infection.
Hantavirus is a rare and potentially lethal illness and is transmitted through the droppings of infected rodents.
The autopsy report stated that Arakawa showed no signs of trauma and tested negative for both COVID-19 and the flu.
While caffeine was present in her system, her carbon monoxide levels were normal, and she tested negative for alcohol and intoxicating substances.
The release of Arakawa’s autopsy and toxicology findings occurred two days after the publication of similar documents regarding Hackman’s death, which confirmed heart disease as his primary cause of death.
According to his autopsy, the 95-year-old actor was also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and appeared to have not eaten for a considerable time. He tested negative for hantavirus.
Records made public earlier in the investigation indicated Arakawa had been making phone calls and conducting internet searches, researching flu-like symptoms and breathing methods.
In early March, detectives had searched the residence for her laptop and other evidence.
Investigators previously outlined their theory that the couple died days apart. They noted that due to Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s, it was possible he was unaware his wife had passed away.
Tragic surveillance footage also emerged, capturing the final movements of Hackman’s wife weeks before the couple’s mummified remains were located at their sprawling New Mexico estate.
Two weeks before authorities made the grim discovery, Arakawa was recorded on video staying active and running errands.
HARROWING FIND
Bodycam footage from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office captured the moment deputies arrived at the baffling scene, where one of the couple’s German Shepherd dogs was found guarding Arakawa’s body.
“Poor guy, he’s sad,” one of the deputies can be heard saying.
A different video segment recorded the moment authorities located Hackman’s body in another part of the property.
“Two totally separate areas of the house,” one deputy is heard remarking, to which another replies, “Mhm, it’s strange.”
One of the couple’s three dogs was also discovered deceased. It was found in a crate inside a bathroom closet near where Arakawa’s body was.
The remaining two dogs were alive, with one heard barking in the background.
The video also showed deputies systematically moving through the estate’s rooms, searching for any indication of foul play or forced entry.
Investigators were observed counting cash found within the home, examining prescription drugs on a bathroom counter, and inspecting the kitchen stove due to concerns about a possible gas leak.
This concern about a leak led deputies to begin opening doors and windows throughout the house.