Gene Hackman’s Private Demise

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Gene Hackman spent his final years surrounded by peace and love.

Over a month since the heartbreaking discovery of both my beloved star and his wife Betsy Arakawa, along with one of our cherished pets, in their New Mexico abode, I, an ardent admirer, am still grappling with the loss. Recently, Susan Madore, our trusted publicist, has granted us a rare peek into how my idol chose to spend his precious final years.

For 27 years, Susan worked alongside the renowned actor who chose to relocate to Santa Fe during the ’90s in pursuit of an artistic lifestyle away from the limelight. Interestingly, he even acquired land neighboring a garbage dump for undisturbed bike rides in tranquility.

Susan stated during a hearing on March 31 about releasing investigative records concerning his death, as reported by Rolling Stone, that he desired solitude while cycling, implying no one should trail or watch him. Furthermore, she mentioned that Betsy contacted her personally after the property purchase because she wanted Susan to know if anyone inquired about Mr. Hackman’s residence at the dump.

Apart from serving as a tranquil sanctuary, Susan reminisced that Gene limited his publicity engagements to just two hours for every film he worked on. However, by shifting his focus away from the glamour of Hollywood, the star of Unforgiven had ample time to spend with his friends and his wife of over three decades. And some of those friends have since offered insights into the late couple’s deep affection for each other.

Kevin Bobolosky described Gene as a peaceful giant in the March 18 documentary titled “Last Days of Gene Hackman: ABC News Special“. He mentioned that Betsy, who seemed to take care of most of the cooking and cleaning on their large estate, did so out of love for him. It appeared she deeply admired him, which allowed them to have everything they desired.

After their passing, Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza confirmed that Betsy’s cause of death at the age of 65 was hantavirus, a type of pulmonary syndrome or severe respiratory illness. This condition is contracted by humans when they come into contact with infected rodents and their urine or droppings.

A week following her passing, it was determined that Gene’s death at age 95 was due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease playing a role in his condition.

Based on reports from their friends, it seems probable that Betsy, being Gene’s primary caregiver, may have been unaware of the extent of her own health condition.

Stephen Marshall expressed in the documentary, “I believe if Betsy had known how ill she was, she would have arranged for extra assistance. She likely assumed she’d recover. Her concern was not for herself, but for caring for Gene.

Indeed, it was apparent to many just how much Betsy cared for the Hoosiers actor.

According to Gene’s friend, Tim Allin, Gene had a strong sense of guardianship towards him. Last month, Tim shared with The New York Times that Gene frequently expressed the belief that if it weren’t for Betsy, he might have perished some time in the past.

For more on the tragic deaths of Gene and Betsy, keep reading.

In the home they shared in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26, renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife of thirty-three years, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered lifeless by two maintenance workers. From their vantage point outside the house, they saw the unfortunate scene through a window. Upon noticing this, authorities say they immediately contacted the couple’s caretaker in the guarded community where they resided and the caretaker promptly dialed 911.

The caller informed 911, as heard on a recording, that “they aren’t going anywhere at the moment.” They requested immediate response, saying “Could you please dispatch someone out here urgently.

Upon the arrival of Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputies, they discovered Arakawa, aged 65, lying on the bathroom floor to the left of the front door. The affidavit for a search warrant dated February 27, obtained by TopMob News, states that she was dressed in a sweatshirt and sweatpants. An open prescription pill bottle and scattered pills could be seen on the countertop.

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

Among the couple’s three dogs, which had initially been mistaken for their German shepherd named Bear but was actually their Australian Kelpie mix called Zinna, was discovered deceased in a bathroom closet, as stated in the warrant. A dog that appeared to be in good health was found near Arakawa and another seemingly healthy one was roaming outside, while the third, also in apparent good condition, was nowhere to be found.

A search warrant was carried out at a residence just after 9:30 p.m. on February 26th, and the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were taken away the next morning.

Although the sheriff’s office mentioned on February 27 that there was no indication of criminal activity, investigators found the circumstances leading up to the deaths of the two people to be questionable enough to warrant a comprehensive examination and investigation, as stated in the warrant.

According to the warrant, there were no clear indications of injuries from a blunt object, carbon monoxide exposure, or evidence of someone forcing their way into the house. Instead, the deputies mentioned that the front door was slightly open.

Additionally, it appeared that Hackman and Arakawa had been deceased for some time. A deputy observed that Arakawa’s body was partially decomposed, with mummification occurring around her hands and feet. The warrant states this observation. Similarly, Hackman’s body showed signs consistent with death. Moreover, it seemed as though both individuals may have fallen unexpectedly to the ground.

The individual who initially discovered the bodies informed investigators that his last conversation with the couple was approximately two weeks prior, as stated in the search warrant. Typically, he interacted with Arakawa through phone calls and text messages.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County stated, in response to queries from the Santa Fe New Mexican, that they are currently conducting a preliminary inquiry regarding a potential fatality. He aims to reassure the community and its residents that there is no present threat to anyone’s safety.

In my role as a lifestyle consultant, I found myself in an unexpected situation recently where investigators conducted a search and took several personal items from me. These included two cell phones, medications for blood pressure and thyroid, Tylenol, my medical records, and a 2025 planner, as detailed in the warrant summary.

As a trusted lifestyle advisor, I find myself often reflecting on the delicate balance between technology and human existence. In a recent press conference held on February 28th, Sheriff Mendoza shared insight into the case of Hackman, whose pacemaker’s last recorded activity occurred on February 17th. It seems like a plausible assumption that this was his final day among us, emphasizing the profound impact technology has in our lives.

Mendoza stated that they were still examining details such as call logs, texts, images, and calendar entries from mobile devices to construct a sequence of events.

But it wasn’t going to be easy.

According to the sheriff on TODAY, they acknowledged it was difficult as the subjects were quite private people and had a private family. Currently, they are gathering all the details.

In a heartfelt statement, Leslie, Elizabeth, and granddaughter Annie announced with deep sorrow the passing of their beloved father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. Despite being adored and respected globally for his exceptional acting career, to us he was simply Dad and Grandpa. We will deeply miss him and are heartbroken by this loss.

Leslie Anne Allen, one of the three children actor shared with his first wife Faye Maltese, mentioned to Fox News Digital that it had been a while since they saw each other due to her living in California and him not traveling as much. However, they have managed to keep in touch over the past couple of months.

1. She expressed deep affection for him, saying, “I truly cared for him.” He was a kind-hearted individual.

2. Regarding his health, Leslie confirmed that he maintained it well by regularly doing yoga and pilates.

Over time, relatives found themselves gradually shutting out speculations regarding potential events, focusing instead on the anticipation of concrete responses from the authorities.

According to Tim Hackman, who is the nephew of the actor, we’re currently awaiting the results from a toxicology test. Once these results are available, they will provide us with all the necessary information. At this point, it’s challenging to engage in theoretical discussions. There are many theories circulating, but I prefer not to speculate as it can lead to negative assumptions. It’s easier to imagine negative outcomes when we don’t have concrete information.

He mentioned, “My uncle was 95, an age when one often considers, ‘It’s about time.’ However, given the recent developments, things have shifted significantly. It’s quite a substantial alteration.

Since the late 1980s, Hackman had been residing in Santa Fe with Arakawa, and it was there that he last worked on a film in 2004, titled Welcome to Mooseport. Known for his painting skills, Hackman was deeply involved in the local arts community and served as a board member at the Georgia O’Keefe Museum from 1997 until 2004.

According to lifelong friend and art dealer Stuart Ashman, he was quite unassuming despite having fascinating tales about Hollywood and famous personalities. Essentially, he was an ordinary man.

Jennifer LaBar-Tapia, the film commissioner of Santa Fe, shared with journalists that Hackman and Arakawa have a strong connection with the heart and soul of Santa Fe.

However, sightings of Hackman have grown less frequent, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniel Lenihan shared with People that the actor, who once enjoyed strolling his dogs, cycling around their neighborhood, and supporting local businesses, has essentially been confined to his home recently. Aaron Lenihan mentioned that Arakawa was making efforts to keep him active, engaged, and healthy, but according to Daniel, Hackman appeared to be deteriorating.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can confidently attest that my partner, Barbara Lenihan, had always maintained an exceptional level of health. Her fitness was nothing short of remarkable.

In March 2024, the latest photograph of a seemingly weakened Hackman and Arakawa, captured by paparazzi, was shared by Page Six as they were seen together in public.

Upon being asked about the tests conducted on Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies for carbon monoxide poisoning, Sheriff Mendoza informed us on February 28th that the initial results came back negative. However, he emphasized that the final autopsy and toxicology reports might take “up to three months or more” to be fully prepared. As a dedicated follower, I will keep you updated on any new developments in this ongoing investigation.

On March 4, the New Mexico Gas Company reported that although a very small leak was discovered in a stove burner, the amount of carbon monoxide emitted was insufficient to cause death, and no additional leaks or problems with the gas line were found during their investigation.

Investigators found multiple building code infractions in the house, however, none related to gas or carbon monoxide issues.

At a press conference on March 7th, the state’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, reported that Arakawa passed away due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, an uncommon lung infection that can develop from contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.

Meanwhile, as per Jarrell, Hackman exhibited clear signs of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. To add, he was in a severely weakened condition. Notably, he had serious cardiovascular issues, which likely contributed to his eventual demise.

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

Erin Phipps, a veterinarian working for public health in New Mexico, stated that the couple’s risk of exposure was relatively low from their residence. However, there were indications of rodents residing in other buildings on the property.

122 instances of Hantavirus, resulting in 52 fatalities, have been documented in New Mexico by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the period spanning 1993 to 2022.

Based on the coroner’s findings, it appears that Arakawa, who was last seen running errands on February 11, may have passed away around a week prior to Hackman’s death. Hackman seemingly died on February 18, as suggested by his last pacemaker activity, which was recorded a day later than initially reported by the authorities.

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

According to what’s known so far, Hackman remained the only person in the house, alongside his wife’s body, until his own death transpired.

Jarrell mentioned that it seems plausible he hadn’t realized she had passed away. Regarding Hackman, she pointed out that he hadn’t eaten before he died, yet he wasn’t suffering from dehydration.

According to state vet Phipps, it’s unfortunate that the family’s pet dog, Zinna, was left in a crate inside the bathroom and ultimately perished due to lack of food and water.

As of now, there’s no evidence suggesting that there was someone looking after the house. (Sheriff Mendoza stated this on March 7)

According to friend Tom Allin, Arakawa had been handling her husband’s daily affairs for quite some time, arranging his golf outings and social visits with friends. As reported by the New York Times, Allin shared that he had known Hackman for two decades, but it was always Arakawa whom he spoke to over the phone.

According to Allin, she was incredibly watchful over him. In fact, without her, he likely wouldn’t be alive today.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reflect on this heartbreaking situation: “If only we, his close acquaintances, had been more vigilant about his wellbeing,” Ashman shared with the Washington Post. “I had no inkling…It’s simply devastating. And to think she passed away a week prior. Oh, the cruel twist of fate.

In the course of what seemed to be my final day, I reached out to my massage therapist via email at dawn’s first light. Later in the afternoon, I ventured to a local grocery store, followed by a visit to a pharmacy. Before sunset, I found myself at a pet store. By approximately 5:15 p.m., according to officials, I was back home and ceased responding to emails after February 11th.

Sheriff Mendoza stated his conviction that she often donned a mask when going out to run her daily chores, as this was a routine practice among her friends due to the concern of spreading any diseases back to her spouse at home.

Although the coroner concluded that Arakawa likely passed away on February 11, a local physician claims they had a conversation with her the day after.

Dr. Josiah Child from Cloudberry Health in Santa Fe shared with the DailyMail (on March 17) that on February 12, a call was received from the individual in question early in the morning. One of our doctors spoke to her and advised her to visit us that same afternoon. However, despite scheduling an appointment for her, she failed to appear.

He mentioned that the meeting had no connection to the hantavirus. He also said they attempted to reach her multiple times but received no response.

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2025-04-01 18:48