New Mexico officials have recovered evidence that Betsy Arakawa, the wife of actor Jean Hackman, died at least a day later than previously estimated.
New Mexico authorities initially believed that Arakawa was likely killed on February 11th of a rare virus infection.
However, after analyzing the phone, investigators learned that Arakawa had made three calls on the morning of February 12th. She said Arakawa called Cloudberry Health, a concierge medical service.
In an interview, Dr. Josiah Child, the chief doctor there, said in an interview that the clinic returned that morning to call Arakawa and planned plans for the afternoon. He reported that she was feeling crowded but there were no signs of difficulty breathing. Arakawa did not appear in her appointment that afternoon, Dr. Child said.
“I think she was beginning to feel sick, so she reached out to us,” he said.
Arakawa and Hackman were found dead in a remote home late last month outside Santa Fe. State medical inspectors concluded that Arakawa, 65, died from the effects of the hantavirus, which contracts through exposure to excretion from rodents. This virus can cause clear symptoms before it progresses to shortness of breath and lung failure.
They said Hackman, who had Alzheimer's, spent another week at home with her body and died of heart disease on February 18th.
The couple's death timeline has changed as law enforcement recovered new information about their final outings and communications. About two weeks after Arakawa's death, a maintenance worker and a nearby security guard discovered her body.
Dr. Child said Arakawa, who was not a patient at the clinic, first scheduled her appointment on February 12th, cancelled two days before she said she needed to take care of her husband. The clinic rescheduled the appointment that morning after Arakawa called again, he said.
The clinic called her that afternoon after she didn't show up for an appointment, but she didn't pick it up, Dr. Child said. Her contact with the clinic was first reported by the Daily Mail.
Hackman's body was found in the mudrooms of their home, while Arakawa's body was found in the bathroom. One of their three dogs, the Australian Kelpee Mix, was found dead in a wooden frame near Arakawa.
A report from the veterinary lab that investigated the dog's body determined that the dog Jinnah was likely killed from dehydration and starvation. The dog had recently undergone surgery on the small intestine, the report said. Officials have said recent medical procedures could be the reason why dogs were kept in crates.
Authorities were able to use information from the pacemaker to estimate the time of Hackman's death, and concluded that he died on February 18, nearly a week after his wife's death.
The couple's representatives have begun the process of managing Mr. Hackman's property.
Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor whose film career has covered over 40 years, has left the property worth millions.
According to a copy of his will from 2005 filed in New Mexico Court, Hackman had planned to leave his entire estate to Mr. Arakawa. His will also named her as his personal representative, the person entrusted with handling his property. Will indicated that if she fails to represent him, the duties would be sent to an attorney named Michael G. Stin, who passed away in 2019.
Mr. Hackman had three children: Christopher Hackman, Elizabeth Jean Hackman and Leslie Anne Allen.
Children are listed in Hackman's will, although not explicitly as beneficiaries. The Will mentions multiple trusts, and details of which have not been made public.
Mr. Hackman's personal representative, Peters described his three children as heirs to a court paper.
A copy of Arakawa's will, filed in court, shows that she intends to leave her assets to Mr Hackman to survive. Her will was also signed in 2005.
The court filing listed Arakawa's sole heir as 91-year-old mother, Yoshi Feaster.
Last week, Peters asked the court to prevent authorities from releasing police footage and photographic evidence related to the couple's death. “During their lives, Hackman placed great value on their privacy and took proactive and vigilant measures to protect their privacy,” the submission said.
