Gene Hackman fresh heartache over wills after investigation error bombshell

A fresh heartache in the case of Hollywood veteran Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa has emerged involving the couple’s wills – after cops admitted to an “error” in the investigation into their deaths.

Their surviving dogs have been left in a state of uncertainty following the passing of the actor and his wife, with their future hanging in the balance. Bear, a German Shepherd, and Nikita, an Akita-shepherd mix, are currently unable to find a new home until the couple’s wills are examined. The two canines are being cared for at a dog boarding facility in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after being saved from the couple’s residence.

The fate of the dogs is on hold as it is yet to be determined what arrangements Hackman had made for them after his death. Questions linger over whether any of Hackman’s relatives will adopt the dogs or if they will be placed with another family.

This development follows the recent revelation of the distressing state in which the dogs were discovered. Police had previously reported that the two dogs were “healthy”, but also found the remains of a third “mummified” dog in a closet in the bathroom close to where Betsy’s body was located.

Further information has now come to light indicating that the deceased dog was Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, rather than a German Shepherd as initially thought. The dogs, who had been wandering freely for no less than 10 days, were located by police officers who then summoned animal control.

Initially, police misidentified the deceased dog as Bear, Gene and Betsy’s German Shepherd, who is in fact alive along with their other dog. The reason for the initial mix-up in the police report regarding the identity of the dog remains unclear.

While Bear was found near Betsy’s body and was easily apprehended, Nikita was seen running around, acting “skittish because of all the commotion,” as reported by USA Today. Efforts to entice Nikita into Betsy’s car using treats proved futile. Ultimately, the rescuers resorted to placing an overnight trap for her in the backyard.

Subsequently, both the dog and Betsy were transported to a boarding facility. The probe into the couple’s demise is presently at a standstill as authorities await toxicology reports.

Actor Hackman and his wife, acclaimed classical pianist Betsy, aged 65, were found deceased in different rooms of their Santa Fe residence last Wednesday. It’s believed that Hackman passed away around nine days prior to the discovery of his remains by officials.

Law enforcement previously verified that the final activity recorded on Hackman’s pacemaker was dated February 17. Still, it remains uncertain whether Hackman or his spouse perished first, as both bodies were discovered in a “mummified” state.

Police are endeavouring to reconstruct the pair’s final activities and have composed a roster of individuals for interviews, including Hackman’s adult children Christopher, 65, Elizabeth Jean, 63, and Leslie, 58, whom he shares with former partner Faye Maltese. The family members are reportedly anxious for the toxicology findings.

The duo’s last public sighting together was in March 2024, with images capturing Hackman with a walking stick, firmly grasping his wifes arm.