What to Know So Far About Gene Hackman’s ‘Suspicious’ Death/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday, with authorities stating they may have been deceased for some time. Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, was known for iconic roles in ‘The French Connection,’ ‘Hoosiers,’ and ‘Superman’ before retiring from acting in the early 2000s. The cause of death remains under investigation, though no foul play is suspected. As Hollywood mourns his passing, Hackman’s legacy as one of cinema’s greatest actors remains intact.
Gene Hackman’s Death: Quick Looks
- Gene Hackman, 95, and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead in their Santa Fe home.
- No signs of foul play, but authorities investigating cause of death.
- Maintenance worker discovered the bodies, reporting an open front door.
- Oscar-winning actor starred in classics like ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Unforgiven’.
- Hollywood pays tribute, with actors and directors praising his impact on film.
- Hackman lived a quiet life in New Mexico, painting and writing novels in retirement.
What to Know So Far About Gene Hackman’s ‘Suspicious’ Death
Deep Look: The Life, Legacy, and Death of Gene Hackman
Hollywood and fans worldwide are mourning the loss of one of the greatest actors of his generation, as Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home.
Unanswered Questions Surround Their Deaths
The circumstances of their deaths remain unclear. According to a search warrant affidavit, a maintenance worker discovered the bodies on Wednesday after noticing the front door open.
“I saw Mrs. Hackman on the floor through a window, but I couldn’t get inside,” the worker told 911 operators.
Authorities found Hackman in the home’s entryway, while Arakawa was in the bathroom next to a space heater. Investigators noted scattered pills near an open prescription bottle, though no immediate cause of death was determined.
A German shepherd was also found dead in the bathroom closet, while two other dogs survived on the property.
The New Mexico Gas Co. tested the home for gas leaks but found no issues, though investigators noted carbon monoxide poisoning could still be a factor. Autopsy results are pending.
Investigators have not yet determined whether Hackman and Arakawa died at the same time, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told NBC’s “Today Show” on Friday morning, but they both likely had been dead for some time before they were discovered.
“It appears (to be) several days, possibly even up to a couple of weeks,” Mendoza said.
911 caller saw Hackman and Arakawa lying on the floor through window
Hackman’s and Arakawa’s bodies were discovered by maintenance workers at the home just before 2 p.m. local time Wednesday, the sheriff’s office affidavit for a search warrant.
A caller told 911 they could see two unconscious people through a window but could not enter the home.
“No, dude, they’re not moving. Just send somebody out here really quick,” the caller said.
Police responded to the call and discovered Arakawa’s body on the ground inside a bathroom next to an orange prescription pill bottle with scattered pills on the floor, the affidavit says.
The body “showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mumification (sic) in both hands and feet,” the affidavit states.
The condition of the extremities described in the report is somewhat uncommon, according to a forensic scientist.
“Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a very arid environment, and you only get mummification most of the time in very arid environments where you’re absent any kind of significant humidity,” Joseph Scott Morgan, a professor at Jacksonville State University.
Deaths ‘suspicious enough’ to warrant thorough investigation
The cause of the couple’s deaths is under investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals (are considered) to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” a sheriff’s deputy said, according to the affidavit.
“I think I’m pretty confident that there is no foul play just based on the lack of evidence of foul play,” Mendoza told NBC on Friday. “Of course, we’re not ruling that out.”
Fire officials called to the scene “did not locate signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning,” and a gas company crew conducting tests of gas lines in and around the home did not immediately identify any problems, the affidavit says.
Gene Hackman: A Hollywood Legend
Hackman’s career spanned over four decades, with unforgettable performances in:
- ‘The French Connection’ (1971) – Won Best Actor Oscar for his intense role as Detective Popeye Doyle.
- ‘Unforgiven’ (1992) – Won Best Supporting Actor Oscar as a ruthless sheriff in the Clint Eastwood classic.
- ‘Superman’ (1978-1987) – Played Lex Luthor, cementing his place in pop culture history.
- ‘Hoosiers’ (1986) – Portrayed an underdog basketball coach, inspiring audiences worldwide.
Hollywood Pays Tribute
The film industry has reacted with deep admiration and sadness at Hackman’s passing.
“He was a force of nature,” actor Cary Elwes wrote. “Growing up on his movies was a thrill.”
Director Francis Ford Coppola called him “one of the greatest performers ever.”
Bill Murray, who worked with Hackman on The Royal Tenenbaums, recalled his dedication:
“He did 25 perfect takes, while another actor kept blowing it.”
Betsy Arakawa: The Woman Behind the Legend
Arakawa, 63, was a classically trained pianist who met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym. The couple relocated to Santa Fe, where they lived a quiet life away from Hollywood.
She was vice president of a home decor business and shared Hackman’s love for art and music.
A Private Life in Santa Fe
Hackman and Arakawa moved to their hilltop ranch in New Mexico decades ago, where Hackman focused on painting, writing novels, and enjoying retirement.
Their 8,700-square-foot estate, featured in Architectural Digest, had a market value of over $4 million.
While Hackman rarely made public appearances, sightings of him grabbing fast food or pumping gas made headlines in his later years.
What’s Next?
- Authorities continue investigating the cause of death, with autopsy results pending.
- Hollywood tributes pour in, celebrating Hackman’s impact on cinema.
- Fans remember his greatest films, ensuring his legacy will live on.
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