Gene Hackman’s secluded Santa Fe estate is already moving toward a sale, just 11 days after it quietly hit the market.
The Southwestern-style property has now been marked as “pending,” meaning an offer has been accepted and the deal is in that familiar in-between phase of inspections, appraisals, and paperwork.
Sotheby’s International Realty, which is handling the listing, confirmed that everything is progressing behind the scenes.
From Listing to Pending in Less Than Two Weeks
The update came directly from Tara S. Earley of Sotheby’s, who works alongside Ricky Allen.
She confirmed that the buyer and seller have reached an agreement and are now navigating the final steps before closing.
While the sale isn’t officially complete yet, the quick turnaround suggests strong interest in the home.
A Property That Draws Attention for More Than One Reason
Set on six acres within a gated community, the four-bedroom ranch sits on a hill with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains.
Even before it was listed, agents predicted it could sell for more than the asking price.
One Coldwell Banker agent explained that the home’s size, design, and solid structure made it appealing—celebrity history included.
As they put it, when a well-known name is attached to a property, it often adds to the allure, even under tragic circumstances.
The Tragedy That Cast a Long Shadow
Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside the home last February, though investigators believe they died about a week apart in late January.
Hackman was 95, Arakawa 65, and the couple had been married for decades despite a 30-year age difference.
Their deaths shocked Santa Fe, a city known for being a quiet refuge for artists and high-profile figures seeking privacy.
Inside the House When Deputies Arrived
Footage released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office painted a haunting picture.
A German shepherd stood guard near the couple as deputies entered the house.
Inside, the home—remodeled extensively in 1990 and once featured in Architectural Digest—was cluttered with clothing, boxes, diapers, and dog crates.
Investigators later noted a rat infestation in outbuildings, though the interior of the main house showed no signs of rodent activity.
What Investigators Uncovered
Authorities found no evidence of forced entry or foul play.
Prescription medications were visible on a bathroom counter, and one of the couple’s dogs barked as officers searched the rooms.
Hackman’s body was located near the entryway, while Arakawa was found in a bathroom.
One of their three dogs was discovered dead in a crate nearby, initially misidentified by investigators.
Medical Findings and a Timeline That Slowly Emerged
Chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell ruled both deaths as natural.
Hackman died from heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor.
His pacemaker recorded an abnormal heart rhythm on February 18, believed to be the day he passed away.
Arakawa’s death was linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but often fatal illness caused by exposure to rodent droppings.
Arakawa’s Final Days and Unanswered Calls
Records released after a court ruling showed that Arakawa spent her final days searching online for information about flu-like symptoms, breathing techniques, and medical services.
Emails revealed she canceled appointments after Hackman woke up feeling ill.
On the morning of February 12, she contacted a medical concierge service in Santa Fe but missed a follow-up call later that day.
Why the Records Became Public
Initially, all investigative materials were sealed. Hackman’s estate and Arakawa’s mother asked for that protection to continue, citing privacy concerns.
News organizations pushed back, promising not to publish images of the bodies.
The court ultimately allowed the release of documents and videos, provided no images of the couple’s remains were shown.
Understanding Hantavirus and the Property Assessment
Health officials confirmed that this was New Mexico’s first hantavirus case of the year.
The illness does not spread between people and is most often reported in spring and summer.
An environmental review found rodent droppings in several outbuildings on the Hackman property, along with live traps, but none inside the main residence.
In the piñon- and juniper-covered hills around Santa Fe, such conditions are not unusual.
Remembering Gene Hackman’s Enduring Career
Hackman’s film career stretched back to 1961 and spanned decades.
He earned five Oscar nominations, winning for The French Connection and Unforgiven. Audiences remember him just as vividly as Lex Luthor in Superman as they do as the redemptive coach in Hoosiers.
He retired from acting in the early 2000s, choosing a quieter life far from Hollywood.
Betsy Arakawa’s Life Beyond the Spotlight
Arakawa, born in Hawaii in 1959, was a trained pianist who performed publicly as a child.
She attended the University of Southern California, worked in television production, and later became vice president of Pandora’s, a Santa Fe home décor store.
She met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working part-time at a California gym, and the two eventually settled in Santa Fe together by the end of that decade.
A Quiet Ending, and a House Ready to Move On
Now, as paperwork moves forward and a new owner prepares to take over the property, the Santa Fe home stands at the intersection of beauty, privacy, and loss.
For buyers, it’s a striking retreat with unmatched views.
For many others, it remains a place forever tied to the final chapter of a Hollywood legend and the woman who shared his life far from the spotlight.
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