Everything we know so far after Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead with their dog at home
As police confirm the tragic news actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their New Mexico home, we take a look at everything we know so far.
On Wednesday (February 26), the couple and their pet dog were found dead at their residence on Sunset Trail, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed.
While investigations are still ongoing, Hackman's daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, has now spoken out on what she believes caused Hackman and Arakawa's deaths.
She reportedly told TMZ that while she is not sure how the pair died, she reckons it could be related to toxic fumes, suspecting their cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Meanwhile, Sky News has reported that 'a gas company has said it is assisting in the investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa'.
The couple were found dead in different rooms
A search warrant from police in Santa Fe has now revealed that Hackman and Arakawa had been dead for 'some time' and were found in different rooms.
The couple's dog was found dead in similar circumstances, police added.
Hackman was found in a mudroom - a room used for dirty or wet footwear and clothing - while Arakawa was found dead in a bathroom, where there was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the counter top.
An official cause and time of death is yet to be confirmed as authorities continue their investigations.
No 'foul play' involved
The police department previously said they did not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths.
In addition to this, Denise Avila, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, confirmed that neither Arakawa or Hackman had gunshot wounds, or any other type of wounds.
Investigations are still ongoing.
DoubleOscar winner Hackman, 95 and Arakawa, 63, had been married for 34 years and led extremely private lives.
They moved to Santa Fe in 1990 after Hackman retired from Hollywood and pursued a career as an author.
Hackman's last public appearance
Hackman and Arakawa were last spotted in public on March 28, 2024 for a dinner date at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe.
The actor, remembered for his roles Superman, Unforgiven and French Connection, was pictured walking with a cane and holding onto his wife.
The star underwent surgery for angina
After a hugely successful career spanning six decades, Hackman retired from the industry in 2004 at the age of 74.
His final roles were in Runaway Jury and Welcome to Mooseport.
Hackman later revealed issues with his health encouraged him to pursue a slower pace of life.
"The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York," he told Empire in a 2009 interview.
"The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress."
Hackman had previously undergone angioplasty surgery, which is where a balloon is inserted to widen blocked arteries.
Hackman wanted to be remembered as 'a decent actor'
In a 2011 interview with GQ, Hackman, then 81, revealed how he wanted to be remembered.
"As a decent actor," he began. "As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion."
Hackman continued: "I don't know, beyond that. I don't think about that often, to be honest. I'm at an age where I should think about it."
Hackman was married once before
Hackman was previously married to Faye Maltese and the couple shared three children together: son Christopher Allen and daughters Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Jean.
They were wed for 30 years before divorcing in 1986.
Hackman had been candid about his strained relationship with his kids, telling The Irish Independent in 2000: "I couldn't always be home with them when they were growing up and then, living in California, they've had my success always hanging over their heads."
In his GQ interview, he shed further light on their dynamic.
When asked what advice he would give son Christopher, Hackman responded: "I lost touch with my son in terms of advice early on. Maybe it had to do with being gone so much, doing location films when he was at an age where he needed support and guidance.
"It was very tough for me to be gone for three months and then come home and start bossing him around."
Arakawa and Hackman's marriage
Hackman and Arakawa began dating in the mid-80s after meeting at the gym where she worked part-time. They had a 32-year age gap.
But the actor was sure to clear up any misconceptions to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel about their relationship overlapping with his marriage to first wife
Unlike his character Harry Mackenzie in 1985's Twice in a Lifetime, Hackman explained: "By the way, I did not leave my real-life wife for a younger woman.
"We just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other.
"When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love."
Topics: Gene Hackman, Hollywood, Celebrity, US News
Ellie Kemp