Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Friends Share Heartwarming Memories of Couple's 33-Year Marriage

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s romance was made for the movies.

Following the tragic discovery of the home of the “Unforgiven” actor and his wife of 33 years on February 26th in New Mexico, friends have provided insights into their deeply affectionate relationship.

Kevin Bobolosky described Gene as a peaceful giant in the March 18 documentary titled “Last Days of Gene Hackman: ABC News Special“. He added that Betsy, their housekeeper, primarily took care of cooking and cleaning on their large estate out of affection for Gene. It appears she deeply cherished him, which made for a contented life together.

The real estate agent underscored that their affection remained unwavering, mentioning that when visiting their home, “She would often settle on the couch and spontaneously snuggle up to him.

Stephan Marshall shared that Betsy, who boasted classical piano training and musical prowess, wholeheartedly supported Gene. In turn, Gene felt equally appreciative of her support.

He remembered Betsy as a delightful and engaging lady. From a young age, she had been with Gene, and he took great pride in her achievements. Notably, she had performed with the Honolulu Philharmonic Orchestra.

At a news briefing on March 7th, Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza announced that Betsy’s death was due to hantavirus, a condition that leads to a severe lung disease. This illness is contracted by humans when they come into contact with rodents carrying the virus in their urine, droppings, or saliva.

A week following her passing at 65 years old, it was determined that her death was due to complications from hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease playing a substantial role in her condition.

It’s possible that Betsy, who looked after Gene, may not have realized how ill she was because hantavirus is quite uncommon, with only about 122 cases being reported in New Mexico from 1993 to 2022 as per the Centers for Disease Control and Protection.

Stephen mentioned that if Betsy had known how ill she truly was, she likely would have asked for extra assistance,” he stated. “It seems she believed she’d recover. Her concern wasn’t for herself but for caring for Gene instead.

Indeed, it was often highlighted by their circle of friends that the “French Connection” actor leaned heavily on his spouse, a woman he wedded in 1991.

In an interview with The New York Times on March 8, I shared that Betsy held a special place in Gene’s life, as she was incredibly protective of him. He frequently expressed his belief that without her by his side, his days might have ended much sooner.

As he put it, “She just really looked after him.”

For more details about Gene and Betsy’s tragic deaths, read on.

On February 26, Gene Hackman and his wife of 33 years, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their home located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The grim discovery was made by two maintenance workers who noticed something unusual through a window from outside the house. According to reports, they immediately contacted the caretaker of the gated community where the couple resided and that person dialed 911.

The caller informed 911, as heard on a recording, that “They aren’t going anywhere right now.” They requested emergency assistance to be dispatched promptly.

Upon their arrival, Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputies discovered Arakawa, aged 65, lying on the floor of a bathroom to the left of the front door. The affidavit from a February 27 search warrant, obtained by TopMob News, stated that she was dressed in a sweatshirt and sweatpants. On the countertop, there was an open prescription pill bottle and loose pills scattered around.

95-year-old Hackman was found in a space resembling a mudroom close to the kitchen, according to deputies’ accounts. Near his body were a walking cane and a pair of sunglasses.

In an unfortunate turn of events, I recently discovered that it wasn’t my beloved German shepherd Bear who was missing, but rather a beautiful Australian Kelpie mix named Zinna, hidden in one of our bathroom closets. On the other hand, another canine companion, looking as hale and hearty as ever, was found near Arakawa’s side, while the third, equally vibrant, was frolicking outside.

On February 26, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a search warrant was carried out at the residence. The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were taken away from the premises the next morning.

Although the sheriff’s department announced on February 27th that there were no indications of wrongdoing, the investigators found the circumstances leading to the deaths of the two people to be questionable enough to necessitate a comprehensive examination and investigation, as stated in the warrant.

According to the warrant, there were no clear indications of injuries from physical force, carbon monoxide exposure, or unlawful entry into the house. Instead, the deputies mentioned that the front door was slightly open.

Additionally, there were indications suggesting that Hackman and Arakawa had been deceased for some time. For instance, one officer noted that Arakawa’s body had begun to decompose, with mummification occurring around her hands and feet, as stated in the warrant. Similarly, Hackman’s body displayed similar signs of being dead. Furthermore, it seemed they might have fallen unexpectedly to the ground.

The person who initially discovered the bodies informed investigators that it had been approximately two weeks since his last conversation with the couple, as stated in the search warrant. Typically, he communicates with Arakawa via phone calls or text messages.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County shared with the Santa Fe New Mexican that at this point, we’re dealing with an initial inquiry into a possible death. He wants to reassure the community and nearby residents that there’s currently no imminent threat to anyone’s safety.

During the search, as stated in the warrant summary, some items including two mobile phones, medications for blood pressure and thyroid, Tylenol, personal medical records, and a 2025 calendar or planner were taken by investigators.

At a February 28th press conference, Sheriff Mendoza stated that Hackman’s pacemaker’s latest activity was on February 17th, implying it is a strong possibility, or rather an informed guess, that it was his final day alive.

Mendoza stated that they were examining various information from mobile devices such as call logs, texts, pictures, and other activities, with the aim of constructing a sequence of events.

But it wasn’t going to be easy.

According to the sheriff, speaking on TODAY, “We recognize it’s difficult due to their private nature. At present, we are gathering all relevant details.

With deep regret, we share the news of the demise of our beloved father, Gene Hackman, along with his wife, Betsy. This heartbreaking announcement comes from his daughters, Leslie and Elizabeth, as well as his granddaughter Annie. To the world, he was a renowned actor whose talent captivated millions, but to us, he was simply Dad and Grandpa. We will dearly miss him, and our hearts are shattered by this loss.

Leslie Anne Allen, one of the three children actor Chuck Norris had with his first wife Faye Maltese, shared with Fox News Digital that it had been a few years since she last saw her father due to living in California and him not traveling as much. However, they have managed to stay in contact over the past couple of months.

She remarked, “I held him very dear,” referring to his kind-hearted nature. It was evident that he maintained a healthy lifestyle by frequently engaging in yoga and Pilates exercises. (Leslie’s statement)

Over time, relatives expressed their attempts at ignoring the speculation surrounding possible events, preferring to wait for definitive information instead.

According to Tim Hackman, who is the nephew of the late actor and brother of Richard Hackman, we’re currently awaiting the results of a toxicology report. This information will provide us with all the details needed. At this point, it’s challenging to formulate theories as there are numerous speculations circulating. I prefer not to contribute to such speculation, especially when it leans towards negative assumptions.

Speaking from personal experience, I exclaimed, “I never thought my uncle would defy the expected at 95, when one might ponder, ‘It’s time for a gentle transition.’ However, recent events have flipped that notion on its head. It’s a seismic shift!

Since the late 1980s, Hackman, who last appeared in a movie back in 2004 with “Welcome to Mooseport,” has been residing in Santa Fe alongside Arakawa. Not only is he an artist himself, but he’s also been involved with the community’s artistic activities. From 1997 until 2004, he even served on the board of directors for the Georgia O’Keefe Museum.

According to his longtime friend and gallery owner, Stuart Ashman, he was rather unassuming despite being privy to fascinating Hollywood tales and anecdotes about celebrities. Essentially, he led a normal life, much like any other person.

Jennifer LaBar-Tapia, the film commissioner for Santa Fe, shared with media outlets that Hackman and Arakawa had a strong connection to the city, being intricately part of its cultural tapestry.

However, occurrences of Hackman have become less frequent, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniel Lenihan shared with People that the actor, once a regular figure walking his dogs, riding his bike, and supporting local businesses in their neighborhood, has been largely confined at home recently. Aaron Lenihan mentioned that Arakawa was making efforts to keep him active, engaged, and healthy, but according to Daniel, Hackman seems to be deteriorating.

According to Daniel’s spouse, Barbara Lenihan, the renowned classical pianist, Arakawa, was in “outstanding health” and was “very active and vigorous.

In March 2024, Page Six published the latest photograph showing a weak-appearing Hackman and Arakawa appearing in public together.

The test results for carbon monoxide poisoning on Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies, as reported by Sheriff Mendoza on February 28, were negative. However, he pointed out that the full autopsy and toxicology findings might not be available for up to “three months or more.

According to the New Mexico Gas Company on March 4th, a tiny leak was discovered in a stove burner, but the amount of carbon monoxide released was insufficient to cause death, and no additional leaks or gas pipeline problems were found during their investigation.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some insights from my recent investigation: While I uncovered multiple building code infractions within the property, thankfully, none of these issues pertained to gas or carbon monoxide safety concerns.

During a press conference on March 7th, the New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, announced that Arakawa passed away due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome – an uncommon lung infection contracted through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

Meanwhile, Hackman was clearly suffering from severe Alzheimer’s, according to Jarrell. His health was extremely poor, with a history of serious heart condition, which likely led to his passing.

Arakawa may have experienced flu-like symptoms before she died, the medical examiner said.

Erin Phipps, a veterinarian working for the public health department of New Mexico, stated that while the couple’s house presented a low risk for exposure, there were indications of rodent presence in other buildings on their property.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to shed some light on a matter that might impact your wellbeing: the hantavirus. Over the span of nearly three decades, from 1993 to 2022, New Mexico has reported a total of 122 cases and 52 unfortunate deaths related to this virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This serves as a reminder to prioritize cleanliness and awareness in your surroundings when visiting or living in areas where this virus is prevalent.

The coroner suggests that Arakawa, who was last seen on February 11, appeared to have passed away approximately a week prior to Hackman’s death, which the coroner estimates occurred around February 18 based on Hackman’s most recent pacemaker activity (revised from the original date reported by authorities).

Their bodies weren’t discovered for another eight days, so 15 days after Arakawa died.

To the best of current knowledge, Hackman remained at home, accompanied only by his deceased wife, until he met his own demise.

Jarrell stated that it seemed likely he hadn’t realized she had passed away. Hackman, on the other hand, wasn’t found with any food in his system upon death, but there was no indication of dehydration either.

According to state veterinarian Phipps, the family’s dog Zinna was kept confined in the bathroom and tragically passed away due to lack of food and water.

According to Sheriff Mendoza’s statement on March 7, there’s currently no sign that anyone was looking after the house.

For a while now, Arakawa has been orchestrating her husband’s daily activities, such as arranging golf matches and social gatherings with friends, as per Tom Allin, a friend of Hackman’s who has known him for 20 years and usually converses with his wife on the phone when they speak.

According to Allin, she always took great care to keep him safe, and he likely wouldn’t be alive today without her protection.

According to his friend Ashman, speaking to the Washington Post, it seems we all should have been reaching out to him regularly. I had no inkling about his state… It’s truly heartbreaking. What makes it worse is that she passed away a week prior to him. Oh my, what a tragedy.

On what seemed to be her final day, Arakawa sent an email to her masseuse in the morning hours. In the afternoon, she visited a grocery store, then stopped by a pharmacy. Later, she went to a pet store. According to authorities, she returned home around 5:15 PM. After February 11th, she did not respond to any incoming emails.

Sheriff Mendoza stated that it was his assumption she often wore a mask when going out to run her daily tasks, as her friends explained this was due to her concern about potentially spreading any sicknesses back to her husband at home.

2025-03-19 17:18

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Friends Share Heartwarming Memories of Couple’s 33-Year Marriage

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