Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa was seen just hours before she died. (Image: Getty)
wife, Betsy Arakawa, was seen just hours before she is believed to have died in security footage taken from a pharmacy in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Betsy is thought to have died from a rare, rat-borne disease — hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — on February 11, with her husband dying a week later of heart disease with complications from .
Security cameras captured the classical pianist, 65, wearing a mask while visiting CVS Pharmacy. She also visited a Sprouts Farmer Market grocery store before returning home at around 5.15 pm. Earlier in the day, Betsy sent an email to her massage therapist at around 11.21 am.
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Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died last month. (Image: Getty)
Betsy was due to visit Gruda Veterinary Hospital to pick up prescription dog food and medication for one of their three dogs. However, she failed to show up, sparking concern from the staff.
The hospital’s owner, Robert Gruda, told USA Today: “She was devoted to those dogs. She was consistent, predictable. We knew something was wrong when she didn’t pick up the food on time.”
Mr Gruda’s staff attempted to contact Betsy on February 17 to remind her that the prescription was ready. The call went unanswered and authorities believe that she was already dead.
Gene is thought to have died the next day (February 18). Due to his advanced Alzheimer’s, authorities say that he may not have been aware that his wife was deceased.
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Gene Hackman is believed to have died a week after his wife. (Image: Getty)
The actor was found in the home’s entryway, and Arakawa was found in a bathroom. One of their dogs, a 12-year-old Kelpie mix called Zinna, was also found dead.
While both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said the case is still considered active while investigators tie up the timeline with any information from the mobile phones collected at the home.
It comes after the actor’s will revealed he had left his entire £62 million ($80 million) fortune to his wife.
Betsy’s own will left her assets to Gene and stated that if they died within 90 days of each other her estate would be put in a trust and later donated to charity.
Gene Hackman’s children were left out of his will. (Image: Getty)
According to a legal expert, because Betsy is believed to have died seven days before her husband, Gene’s fortune could default to : Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58.
California attorney Tre Lovell said that Gene’s will, last updated in 2005, named Betsy as the sole beneficiary. Therefore, his estate because no other beneficiary was named.
Mr Lovell told : “The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit.”
However, Gene’s children would have to prove that the will is invalid due to Betsy’s earlier death.
According to US reports, Gene’s son Christopher has who specialises in will disputes.