Gene Hackman’s mysterious estate is listed for sale one year after his death

Gene Hackman’s longtime New Mexico mansion is set to go on the market for $US6.25 million ($A9.3 million), nearly a year to the day after he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in the house.

Authorities found the bodies of the 95-year-old Hollywood legend and his piano-playing wife, 65, in a sprawling Santa Fe neighborhood on February 26, Realtor reported.

Forensic experts later determined that the two likely died about a week apart.

Arakawa was found dead on or about February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease spread by rodent droppings or saliva.

Hackman is believed to have died on February 18 of a heart attack and complications from Alzheimer’s, according to the Associated Press.

The couple lived a very private life on their 53-acre estate, which Hackman bought in the 1990s, with little public presence in the last years of their lives.

They lived together in this place during their marriage.

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The Hollywood legend and his wife had lived on the 53-acre property for decades. Image: Google Earth

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Listing agents Tara S. Earley and Ricky Allen of Sotheby’s International Realty told The Wall Street Journal that the couple’s personal effects have been removed from the property, which is professionally organized for listing.

The listing agents noted to the store that they are aware the property’s bleak future may deter some buyers, noting that they did not add the usual celebrity premium to the asking price for that reason.

“There will be buyers who don’t want to buy a property where there is a death,” said Ms. Earley.

“There are some buyers for whom it is useless, we are selling the property for its beauty and all the good things.

“We just paid it based on what we felt was fair market value.”

Ms Earley and Mr Allen are also taking steps to ensure that the property’s listing is not viewed as a curiosity, noting that they will be vetting all parties interested in viewing the home in person.

The listing agents told the Wall Street Journal that they know the building’s troubled past could turn off some buyers. Photo: Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department

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According to the listing agents, Hackman and Arakawa have gradually built out the compound over the years, adding a basic three-bedroom residence and a studio.

The estate includes a three-bedroom guest house, a green area, lap pool, and hot tub, and several acres of wooded land.

Ms. Earley noted that some maintenance is needed on the property, including the addition of a new roof, which will be incorporated into Hackman’s estate, which is handling the sale of his home.

However, the property has been updated and improved over the years the couple has lived there, and the Journal notes that it has several modern design features, including floor-to-ceiling windows that highlight the beautiful living space.

Attorney Julia L. Peters is overseeing the administration of Hackman and Arakawa’s estate.

It is not yet clear whether the actor left anything to his three children – Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie – who he shared with his first wife, Faye Maltese.

The couple’s belongings, some of which are shown in a police photo, have been removed from the estate. Photo: Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department

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Hackman had been estranged from his children, admitting that his commitment to his Hollywood career had damaged their relationship.

“It’s hard to be the son or daughter of a celebrity. I couldn’t be with them all the time when they were growing up, and then, living in California, my success was always hanging over their heads,” he said in a 2000 interview with the Irish Independent.

However, it was understood that he secretly reconciled with his children in the last years of his life.

Despite retreating from the public eye, Hackman and Arakawa were popular in their community in the gated community of Summit, where their property is located.

For example, Hackman, who had a passion for art away from his on-screen work, often visited a local Artisan Art store to gather materials for his latest creative projects.

“The Hackmans welcomed Santa Fe, and Santa Fe welcomed them,” said Ms. Earley. “You see them in the city and they were treated like celebrities.”

The couple was found inside the main residence on February 26. Photo: Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department

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Hackman told Architectural Digest that he quickly fell in love with Santa Fe, describing the area as having “a certain kind of magic to it.”

After buying the house, the actor chose to renovate it, telling the outlet that he would rather “interpret what’s already there” than demolish it to make way for a new home.

“It’s like being an actor. I interpret what’s there. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I love the show, and when it’s over, it’s over,” she told the outlet.

Hackman worked with Harry Daple and Stephen Samuelson, of Santa Fe Studio Arquitectura, to remodel his home.

At the time, Samuelson told AD, “The house was pretty bad. It was a 1950s building that had been sitting empty and it was dilapidated. But it was a good site, and the foundation was well in place.”

Hackman and Arakawa wanted to make the space more welcoming, so they tore down blocky walls and added French doors that let natural light flood in.

Hackman was heavily involved in the renovations, and when he was unavailable to be on site due to his filming schedule, Arakawa would call him to inform him of changes.

Mr. Samuelson described Hackman as “a very engaged, creative, detail-oriented client.”

According to the listing agent, the property needs some renovations. Photo: Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department

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Hackman and Arakawa “were not interested in the reconstruction of pueblo architecture,” he added.

“It’s not a purist at all. It’s very old, like a barn converted into a house, big and cozy at the same time.”

Photos released by the local sheriff’s department after the couple’s death also reveal insight into their happy romance, capturing sweet love notes that Hackman had left for his wife at their home.

In one of the notes, the Royal Tenenbaums star expressed her gratitude to Arakawa for helping her make dinner.

“Hello. Happy few days after your birthday,” the note said. “I’m sorry about the dinner, and asking for your help. Although it was recommended.”

Hackman then signed the message “Love you and the guys, G” — referring to the couple’s three dogs, one of which was found dead next to them.

A second note included in a piece of footage released by local authorities as part of their investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa shows another note about the pets: “Morning girl lovely, thinking about you and other little guys. Love, G.”

Portions of this story originally appeared on Realtor and are republished with permission.

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