Gene Hackman would have been celebrating his 96th birthday on Friday, January 30.
Instead, RadarOnline.com can reveal the family of the Hollywood heavyweight and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, are packing up the last of their belongings after selling the couple’s home, nearly a year after their tragic deaths.
Gene Hackman’s Home Has a New Owner
Hackman and his wife were discovered inside the home on February 26.
After just 11 days on the market, Hackman’s 53-acre Santa Fe estate has been sold to a new owner. It had been listed for $6.25million, but a final sale price was not disclosed.
According to Realtor.com, the sprawling compound features a three-bedroom primary residence as well as a studio space. There is also a three-bedroom guesthouse, a putting green, a lap pool, and a hot tub.
The property needs a new roof, but that is expected to be covered by Hackman’s estate.
As Radar reported, the home had deteriorated in recent years, mirroring the health of its occupants. Photos and videos showing the cluttered and disheveled living conditions shocked longtime fans who couldn’t believe the actor lived in such dilapidated conditions.
However, the star, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, could very well have been unable to care for his home before his sad passing.
Video Reveals Their Messy Home
Open pill containers were also discovered.
A sink was covered with various toiletries.
Sheriff’s department videos at the time followed deputies as they walked through the kitchen, private bedrooms, and miscellaneous rooms, which were littered with dog crates, clothes, books, documents, and boxes.
The sides of a sink were also seen in the footage overflowing with toiletries and bottles of medication. And what appeared to be a bathtub was filled to the rim with boxes, books, and documents.
One deputy could be heard in the footage insinuating that law enforcement had been told the couple were “very private people.”
Gene Hackman’s Sad Final Years
Trash littered the grounds of the Hackmans’ $4million Santa Fe compound.
Trash bags were dropped on the yard outside.
As Radar reported, Hackman suffered from Alzheimer’s in his final years.
Authorities said after Arakawa unexpectedly died from a rare rat-transmitted disease, dementia-stricken Hackman could have unknowingly shuffled aimlessly around his house, leading to the unkept conditions, until his eventual death a week later.
Alzheimer’s Effect on His Home
Empty boxes were scattered about.
One expert in dementia told Radar: “No one should have to die the way Gene and his (wife) did.”
They added that without the guidance of a dedicated caretaker, it wouldn’t take long for the home to fall into disarray.
“A person with Alzheimer’s at his advanced stage of the disease cannot cook, clean, nor care for themselves and the animals,” the expert added.
A Private Life in Santa Fe
Sheriff deputies searched the home after receiving a call.
Deputies expressed their shock at discovering the bodies of Hackman and his wife..
Hackman had left Hollywood long ago for a private life tucked away in Santa Fe, where he spent his time painting and writing
The French Connection actor first bought the 12 acres of land in 1990, renovating a home already on the site before building another on the property 10 years later.
Gene Hackman was ‘Part of the Community’
Clothing was scattered in and out of closets.
Neighbors described the Superman star as a quiet part of the community. One said, “He drove a beat-up old pickup and was just like everyone else. He didn’t expect special treatment.”
Another would routinely see him at the local coffeehouse: “He looked a little grizzled, but in good shape. He seemed kind of sad and lonely.”
