Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa: Timeline of Events Leading to Their Passing
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths: A Chronology of What We Know So Far
The world is shocked by the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. A number of theories and conversations surface as a result of the devastating news.
As the story develops, stay tuned for the most recent developments.
For the first time since their father was discovered dead, Gene Hackman’s daughters were spotted.
For the first time since his untimely death, the legendary actor’s daughters were spotted in public with his wife, Betsy Arakawa. While dining together in California, the sisters seemed to be in a pleasant mood.
Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman were spotted out together on Thursday, apparently managing to snag a bite to eat at the all-day breakfast establishment. The sisters arrived at the restaurant in a gray SUV, according to pictures DailyMail.com was able to collect.
The excursion took place a day after the bodies of 95-year-old Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered in their Santa Fe residence. The sisters were able to grin together as they departed in spite of the sorrow.
“I know people grieve differently but when your dad was found like he did and also deaths being investigated they look way to [sic] happy and relaxed,” a commenter on social media said.
“Their smiles look awfully disturbing,” one person wrote, while another said, “They look very happy..why?!” Another said, “This whole thing is just weird and strange,” and a fifth said, “Excited for the life insurance coming.” Still another person commented on social media, “Looking like they just hit the lottery.”
Leslie had already spoken up about their father’s death in an exclusive interview. “We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple months, but everything was normal and everything was good,” she said.
According to Gene Hackman’s daughters, he was a private individual who had been in good health before his untimely death. As the inquiry progresses, the family is still waiting for additional information.
Details of Gene Hackman’s Family’s Statement After His Death
Police are looking into the unusual death of Gene Hackman and his wife, who were discovered at their home this week. His devastated daughters disclosed that they hadn’t seen or spoken to him in months.
The world was shocked to learn that Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, had been discovered dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, 2025. The actor was 95 and his wife was 64 when they passed away.
The bodies of the couple were found in different rooms of their $3.8 million house. After finding the dead, Gene and his wife’s neighbor and caregiver contacted emergency services. Some of Gene’s family members have expressed their feelings and sorrow on the situation after the news broke.
Two of the late actor’s three children, Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Hackman, as well as his granddaughter Annie, broke their silence with a statement the day after his passing. They said, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.”
Their press release added, “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa.” The group concluded, “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Leslie expressed her feelings on her father’s passing on the day the statement was made public. In an interview with a tabloid, she said that the family was awaiting word from law authorities regarding the cause of death of the couple.
Leslie and Elizabeth can only surmise that the pair may have perished as a result of breathing in poisonous gases, perhaps as a result of a carbon monoxide leak. Not only did their father and stepmother die in the house, but one of their three pets also died.
Leslie says that because “there was no indication that there was any problem” with Gene before to his death, the family is still dealing with the occurrence. “Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” the 58-year-old disclosed.
She revealed that he was in fantastic condition and enjoyed doing Pilates and yoga multiple times a week. The actress had not had any significant surgery in the previous months, according to the late star’s daughter. Leslie did concede, though, that his passing was “not terribly shocking because he was 95.”
Despite their strong relationship, Gene’s daughter, who lives in California, admitted that it had been “a few months” since she had last seen or spoken to her reclusive father. According to Leslie, “We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple of months, but everything was normal, and everything was good.”
Before deputies discovered them, the couple’s remains had been in their house for at least a day, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. Both bodies had evidence of decomposition, according to an arrest request, and the affidavit described the deaths as “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”
As soon as Leslie hears back from the police, she plans to travel to New Mexico. She said, “We need to wait and find out whatever information from the police. We weren’t expecting to have to go out there and go through the house and all that.”
As the late actor’s first wife, Faye Maltese, greeted Leslie, her sister, and their older brother, Christopher Allen, his daughter went on, “So we have some work cut out for us. But yeah, we’ll be going out to New Mexico.”
From 1956 to 1986, the “Superman” actor and his first spouse, a bank clerk, were wed. Leslie remarked, “They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.” She was referring to her father and Betsy’s marriage.
She went on to say, “[Betsy] was constantly concerned about his health and took very, very good care of him.” For that, I am grateful, and I am deeply grieved by her departure.
Gene’s nephew Tim Hackman also opened up on the same day as Leslie did. Tim disclosed that before the word spread, Leslie informed him and his family about the passing of his uncle and his wife. Leslie, he added, was the family member who spent the most time with the deceased couple.
The 51-year-old relative revealed that he was saddened to discover that his uncle’s death was not natural and that he learned the truth on Wednesday night. In response to the question of whether Gene had any serious health problems, he said, “I mean, he was old. I’m sure he had some [health] concerns, but nothing that was shared.”
Tim’s mother, Barbara Hackman, was married to Richard, Gene’s brother, who was the late actor’s stuntman who died 11 years ago. Tim added, “Eleven years ago was the last time I physically saw him. He only came to California during the warm weather, and then he just stayed in New Mexico.”
Tim explained that Gene was not “estranged” from the rest of the family, even though it had been more than ten years. “He liked New Mexico. He loved it. It’s a beautiful place,” the late actor’s nephew explained.
Tim disclosed that he chatted with his uncle “every once in a while” thanks to Betsy, but that Gene was “at the age where he wasn’t really communicative a lot with the family.”
Tim noted that Betsy would tell him that his uncle was doing well and remained active for his age, and that much of their correspondence consisted of his updating Betsy on his and his kids’ progress “because our major connection was the military background, but that was it really.”
Similar to Leslie, Tim felt his wife loved Gene very much, saying, “I truly believe he made it as long as he did because of her.” The Hackman family expected Gene to die first, leaving his wife to arrange the funeral because the two were 31 years apart in age.
But now that they are both gone, the family has had to prepare for the worst. Tim said, “So the preparedness of it was that he would go first and that we would probably, maybe, depending on whatever it was [Betsy] had set up, would go down there and pay our condolences and everything.”
“Now with this, it changes things a lot,” he added. I am unsure of what will happen—I assume that one of his children will take over—and [plan]. I’m not sure. The time is still extremely early.
The couple’s caregiver’s upsetting 911 call has been made public, but Gene’s funeral arrangements are still pending. When the caller hesitated to announce that they had discovered two bodies, it was evident from the recording that they were shaken.
The caretaker was heard sniffling and shouting repeatedly while the operator responded by calling paramedics right away. When questioned about the people they had found, the caller found it difficult to offer information, failing to identify the people’s ages or genders.
The caregiver, unable to enter the house, stayed outside and observed via a window that neither Gene Hackman nor his wife seemed to be moving. “No, dude, they’re not moving.” The caller informed the dispatcher, “Just send somebody out here really quick.”
Soon after, the cops showed up, confirming the heartbreaking news. Preliminary autopsies revealed no exterior trauma to either person, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
Toxicology tests have been ordered, according to authorities, and although foul play is not suspected, it has not been completely ruled out.
‘Suspicious’ is how police describe the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.
Authorities are looking into the untimely and unexplained deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in a peaceful Santa Fe suburb.
Police have classified the murders of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, as suspicious after they were discovered dead inside their Santa Fe home.
The mysterious events, which also included the death of one of the couple’s dogs, are being looked into by authorities.
Two maintenance workers discovered the remains after reporting that they had not seen them for around two weeks, according to TMZ. The workmen found the front door open when they arrived and found the deceased. Authorities said there were no indications of forced entry, though.
According to a search warrant that TMZ was able to obtain, a Santa Fe detective wrote in an affidavit that he thought “the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened.”
A number of concerning aspects were disclosed in the affidavit. Outside, deputies saw a healthy dog wandering loose, and they also discovered another healthy dog next to Ms. Arakawa’s body. Inside a bathroom closet, ten to fifteen feet away, a third dog was found dead.
Additionally, investigators saw that Mr. Hackman’s body was discovered in a separate room, a heater had been moved, and a pill container was open with pills strewn around Ms. Arakawa. According to the affidavit, deputies did not see any obvious indications of a gas leak.
According to reports, Mr. Hackman was found laying in the mud room, and Ms. Arakawa was located in the restroom.
When discovered, both were in comparable physical conditions. Mr. Hackman was discovered with a cane close by. He was dressed in brown shoes, gray sweatpants, and a blue long-sleeve T-shirt.
According to the affidavit, a pair of sunglasses was likewise positioned to his left. According to one deputy, Mr. Hackman seemed to have “suddenly fallen.”
In a phone interview with The New York Times, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that neither body had any obvious evidence of trauma.
Additionally, investigators verified that there was no message left at the scene. As of Thursday, February 27, 2025, Sheriff Mendoza noted, the property was still being searched.
Although the exact sequence of events is still unknown, authorities think the couple’s bodies were in the house for at least a day before they were found.
Sheriff Mendoza has not ruled out any possibilities, according to TMZ, saying that the deaths may have been caused by a suicide, double homicide, natural causes, or accidents.
New details on the first discovery of the bodies have emerged as the inquiry continues.
A maintenance worker found the pair on Wednesday, February 26 while on a planned visit to the house, according to AP News.
When he came, the front door was open, according to the worker, so he called the police. However, the worker said he was unable to enter the residence at that moment when making a 911 call.
In response to the operator’s question about whether the people inside were breathing, the worker said, “I have no idea. I am not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked. I can’t go in. But I can see she’s laying [sic] down on the floor from the window.”
According to the maintenance worker and another worker who also testified to authorities, they had not spoken to the homeowners in roughly two weeks and hardly ever saw them.
Authorities acted swiftly to conduct autopsy on both Hackman and Arakawa in the days after the finding. The findings added a new level of clarity to the perplexing case and offered the first indication of what might have caused their unexpected deaths.
The moment Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead at their house is revealed in this distressing 911 call.
The terrible discovery of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, dead at their home has been clarified by a recently discovered 911 call. Overcome with emotion, the caller begged dispatchers for immediate help.
When a caregiver discovered Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa unconscious inside their house, authorities received a troubling 911 call. After a pause, the caller—who was clearly shaken—stated that they might have discovered two dead.
As paramedics were being sent out in a hurry, the caregiver could be heard sniffling and muttering, “Damn.” When questioned about the people inside, they were unable to give specifics, unsure of their ages or genders.
Only able to observe via a window that neither Gene nor Betsy seemed to be moving, the caller stayed outside, unwilling to enter. The caretaker informed the dispatcher, “No, dude, they’re not moving. Just send somebody out here really quick,”
Soon later, law enforcement showed there to verify the heartbreaking information. While investigations are ongoing, the community is currently grieving the loss of the adored actor and his spouse.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, early autopsies revealed no signs of exterior injuries to either person. The couple and their dead dog were discovered in different rooms.
According to authorities, toxicology tests have been ordered, but the cause of death is still unknown as of this writing. Officials have not completely ruled out foul play, even though it is not suspected.
As stated in the affidavit for a search warrant, “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,” the sheriff’s deputy stated.
“There was no obvious sign or indication of foul play,” Sheriff Adan Mendoza said, adding that there was no proof of a struggle or missing objects.
But before they were discovered, the couple had been dead for a long time. The sheriff stated, “The autopsy is going to be key, and the toxicology,” stressing that investigators are taking precautions to guarantee the correctness of their conclusions.
Betsy was found laying on the bathroom floor, surrounded by a space heater and an open bottle of prescription medication, with scattered tablets nearby. In an adjacent closet, a dead dog was discovered.
Two other healthy canines were found elsewhere on the premises, and the affidavit stated that the deputy assumed Gene had “suddenly fallen.” Gene’s body was discovered in another room close to the kitchen.
There were no indications of theft or forced entry, however the front door of the house was open and unlocked. The family believes hazardous vapors may have contributed to their deaths, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, the actor’s daughter, told reporters.
Authorities did not immediately discover any indications of a natural gas or carbon monoxide leak, though. Although it’s still unknown what, if anything, was taken, the search warrant gave detectives the opportunity to look at firearms, DNA, restricted narcotics, flammable items, and any other possible evidence.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy,” the famous actor’s daughters and granddaughter wrote in a statement, expressing their grief.
“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely,” said the statement. Fans and other celebs have been pouring their tributes as Hollywood grieves.
The director of “The Conversation,” Francis Ford Coppola, wrote on social media, “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Alongside Gene in “Superman,” award-winning actress Valerie Perrine wrote on X, “The great Gene Hackman has passed away. He was a genius & 1 of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honor of working with him on Superman. His performances are legendary. His talent will be missed. Goodbye my sweet Lex. Till we meet again.”
The BAFTAs paid tribute to Gene as well, stating, “We are saddened to hear that the much-celebrated actor Gene Hackman has died aged 95. Hackman’s illustrious career spanned over six decades and earned him BAFTA wins for his work in Unforgiven, The French Connection, and The Poseidon Adventure.”
Actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died, and the first autopsy report was released. Details
Following the unexpected deaths of the Hollywood actor and his wife, authorities have made public preliminary autopsy results, providing fresh information as the investigation progresses.
Following tests on February 27, 2025, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office posted on their official Facebook page that they had discovered no evidence of foul play in the unexpected deaths of actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63.
Investigators have ordered more tests, but the cause of death is still unknown. Both individuals’ autopsies showed no signs of external trauma, which prompted additional investigation.
Tests for toxicity and carbon monoxide have been requested; these might take weeks. The findings might reveal whether harmful chemicals or environmental factors were involved.
New information uncovered during the course of the investigation added to the enigma. The deaths of Hackman and his wife are being described by authorities as “suspicious.”
A Santa Fe detective wrote in an affidavit that “the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened,” in accordance with a search warrant that TMZ was able to obtain.
The affidavit described a number of odd discoveries, including a dead dog discovered in a bathroom closet 10 to 15 feet away, a healthy dog wandering the property, and another dog close to Arakawa’s body. Investigators also found Hackman’s body in a different room, an open pill bottle with pills thrown about it, and a misplaced space heater close to Arakawa.
However, the document also stated that there were “no obvious signs of a gas leak.”
On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered dead at their Santa Fe Summit residence. Although an investigation is still underway, authorities have not suspected foul play.
Just before 2 p.m., a 911 call indicated that the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa had been found by a caretaker. Wednesday, local time. Maintenance personnel also discovered the pair dead, according to a later affidavit.
The caller, who was clearly upset, told the emergency personnel that they couldn’t get inside the house. But through the glass they could see two people who were not responding. “No, dude, they’re not moving.” The caregiver told the dispatcher, “Just send somebody out here really quick.”
When sheriff deputies responded to this report, they discovered Hackman and Arakawa dead along with their dog at their residence on Old Sunset Trail.
Just after midnight on Thursday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza subsequently verified the death of the actor, his spouse, and their cat. According to Mendoza, there were no overt indications of foul play. He did not, however, provide an estimate of the couple’s passing or reveal the cause of death.
While awaiting the clearance of the search warrant, the sheriff has also informed the public that he and his crew are now conducting preliminary investigations. Additionally, he reassured the community that they were safe and that there was no immediate threat to them.
Hackman, Gene. who had stepped out of the spotlight, led an exciting life, and had a convoluted journey prior to his Hollywood breakthrough. His breakthrough performance came at the age of 36 in 1967’s “Bonnie and Clyde,” a part he secured after losing out on playing Mr. Robinson in “The Graduate.”
Prior to that, he battled to make ends meet in California and New York while serving in the Marines. The “Graduate” actor Dustin Hoffman was one of his housemates at one point. Hackman also worked as a doorman and a truck driver, among other vocations.
With roles in movies like “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” “Unforgiven,” and “The Firm,” Hackman entered the leading-man realm following his Hollywood debut.
The actor gave his characters depth and passion, frequently portraying conflicted authority figures or crafty white-collar crooks.
One of his most well-known roles is that of Lex Luthor in the “Superman” movies from the 1970s and 1980s. He displayed a combination of brilliance and danger in this part.
Hackman won two Academy Awards for his talent. His portrayal as tenacious New York police officer Popeye Doyle, whose quest for justice came at a high personal cost, earned him his first Oscar in 1971’s “The French Connection.”
In the 1974 film “The Conversation,” he had a compelling role as a surveillance specialist whose fixation turns into paranoia. In 1992, Hackman won his second Oscar for his portrayal of Little Bill Daggett, a vicious sheriff who brutally enforced the law in Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven.”
In addition to these films, Hackman played a variety of characters in dramas, comedies, and action movies from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s, including villains, heroes, and antiheroes.
He explained his reasons for quitting at age 74 in an interview with Empire. “The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York. The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress,” he revealed.
Following his retirement, he mostly avoided the public eye, only occasionally attending award presentations. He continued to be permanently retired.
Regarding his personal life, Arakawa was working part-time at a California gym when Hackman first met her in the middle of the 1980s. Soon after, the 95-year-old writer and his 63-year-old spouse moved in together and eventually made Santa Fe their home.
In a gated enclave with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, they bought a sizable ranch in the Southwestern style. Just north of Ten Thousand Waves, off Hyde Park Road, is where they live. Throughout the 1990s, Hackman was a well-known figure in the community and a member of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum board.
Hackman concentrated on creating books in his final years. He did not have children with Betsy Arakawa, although he did have three from a prior marriage. They took in three German shepherds in 1999. Together, the couple loved to watch movies, especially independent, smaller ones.
Social media has been used by fans and celebrities to pay tribute to the late Hollywood legend. Oscar-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola expressed his sadness over the extraordinary artist’s demise, stating that it was a time to honor a remarkable career as well as to grieve.
“Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution,” he said.
In the meanwhile, George Takei has spoken out, referring to Hackman as “one of the true giants of the screen.” Filmmaker Edgar Wright responded to the news of Hackman’s passing by commenting, “The greatest.”
He continued, “Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was.”
Considering Hackman’s legacy, Takei stated that although his absence would be greatly felt, his influence on film will last for many years to come.
