Legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, and now officials have revealed more about their final days. Hackman, the two-time Oscar-winning star of The French Connection and Unforgiven, most likely succumbed to complications from heart disease and late-stage Alzheimer’s.
His wife, a pianist and his devoted partner for over three decades died a week earlier from Hantavirus, a rare illness linked to exposure to rodents.
A House of Silence
According to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, the last time Arakawa left their home or communicated with anyone was February 11. Medical officials believe she likely passed away that same day. Alone and suffering from advanced dementia, Hackman remained in their home for days, probably unaware that his wife had died. His pacemaker registered activity until February 17, suggesting that was when he, too, passed away.
Their bodies were discovered nearly ten days later when maintenance workers entered the home. Hackman was found near his cane and sunglasses in the mudroom, while Arakawa was in a bathroom with an open prescription bottle nearby.
A Life of Privacy and Isolation
The couple had long retreated from the public eye, choosing to live a quiet life away from Hollywood. Friends and family had grown accustomed to their long stretches of silence, meaning no alarms were raised when no one heard from them for days. Investigators noted that the home had no interior surveillance cameras, which could have provided further clarity on their final days.
Adding to the sorrow, one of their three dogs, Zinnia, was also found deceased, while their other two pets, Bear and Nikita, were discovered roaming inside and outside the property.
No Foul Play, Just Tragic Circumstances
While the circumstances of their deaths were initially deemed suspicious, authorities ultimately ruled out foul play. Their remains showed no external trauma, and there was no evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning despite an earlier gas leak theory. Tests confirmed the small leak from their stove was not enough to have been fatal.
Hackman, once one of the most commanding presences in cinema, had been in declining health for some time. His last public sighting in March 2024 showed him looking frail as he left a medical appointment. His daughter, Leslie Anne Allen, confirmed they had remained close but had not spoken for several months.
A Legacy That Endures
Hackman’s passing marks the end of an era. His unparalleled career spanned decades, delivering unforgettable performances in The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Mississippi Burning, Hoosiers, and Unforgiven. After retiring from acting in 2004, he lived a quiet life devoted to writing and his longtime love, Arakawa.
His loss is made even more painful by the circumstances surrounding it—alone, in the home he shared with his wife, unaware that she had already gone before him. A tragic end to a legendary life.
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Gene Hackman, legendary actor, and wife Betsy Arakawa found deceased at 95
