Gene Hackman’s Massive $6.25 Million Estate Listed For Sale Just One Year Following His Death
on Jan 19, 2026
Gene Hackman & His Wife Betsy Found Dead In Their Santa Fe Home
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman was found dead at the age of 95 in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26, 2025. Also found with the actor was his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs.
Gene reportedly died of heart disease complicated by advanced Alzheimer’s disease, officials later confirmed following an autopsy.
Authorities believe he survived alone for about a week after Betsy, 65, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare respiratory disease spread by rodents.
Gene and Betsy were discovered by their longtime handyman, Jesse Kesler after friends grew concerned when they could not contact the couple.
Gene’s Handyman Discovers The Bodies
Kesler said he became concerned after the couple stopped communicating, noting that he typically spoke with them every couple of days.
After several days without contact, Kesler took steps to determine the couple’s status, including notifying Hackman’s family and seeking legal permission to enter the residence.
“It was a two-week event that led up to us finally going in. We knew something was wrong. We were trying to get the process done correctly, not just walk on someone’s property,” Kesler said. “We were having trouble getting hold of family members. It was taking too long and, finally, I just couldn’t wait anymore. I just said, ‘the heck with it, I’m going in.’”
Jesse went to the security gate at the couple’s residence, where he met security guard Roland “Ron” Lowe Begay. After being informed of the situation, Begay joined Jesse in checking on the home.
The two saw Betsy deceased on the bathroom floor through a window, and Begay called 911.
“We did not enter. The door was open to the bathroom from outside. We looked in, she was close and it was very obvious she was gone,” Jesse said. “I was told to stay out of the house, and [not to] go in there. I was hysterical. I pretty much lost it.”
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Gene & Betsy’s Home Listed For Sale One Year Following Their Death
Just one year after their death, the couple’s massive 13,000-square-foot Santa Fe estate has been listed for sale with an asking price of $6.25 million. The home is seated on 53 acres of property.
The gated estate, purchased by The French Connection star in 1990, includes a putting green, a three-bedroom guesthouse, a lap pool and an artist’s studio. The home is listed by agents Tara S. Earley and Ricky Allen of Sotheby’s International Realty, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“There will be some buyers that are just averse to purchasing a property where a death has occurred,” Earley told the outlet. “There are other buyers for whom that doesn’t matter. We are selling the property on its virtues and all of the positives…We just priced it based on what we felt was the fair market value.”
Earley and Allen added that the couple’s personal belongings have been removed and the home has been professionally staged for sale.
