Gene Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter have issued a joint statement following the beloved actor’s death.
Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” and his wife were found dead in their New Mexico home around 1:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday (February 26). A security guard discovered the bodies of Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs inside their Santa Fe residence.
According to authorities, the 95-year-old actor was found in the entryway. His wife, 65, was found near a space heater in the bathroom. The search warrant affidavit revealed that there was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the countertop near Arakawa. A German shepherd was found deceased in a kennel near Arakawa.
In a grim update, authorities shared that a deputy observed that the couple had been “dead for some time” and that Arakawa showed “body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification of her hands and feet.”
During a press conference, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that there were no visible signs of wounds or injuries.
“There was no indication of a struggle,” Mendoza said. “There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed, you know, that would be an indication that there was a crime that had occurred.”
Gas lines were checked due to suspicion of carbon monoxide or other gas poisoning, but no obvious signs of leaks were detected.
The deaths are currently under investigation, and carbon monoxide and toxicology test results are pending.
The 911 call reveals moments after Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were discovered.
In a 911 call obtained by TMZ, an unnamed caller who identifies himself as a caretaker for a subdivision tells dispatch that he thinks he has found at least one deceased person inside of a house. When asked if the patient was breathing, the caller says, “I have no idea. It’s closed. It’s locked. I can’t go in.” He adds that he can see a female lying on the floor through the window.
The dispatcher asks if they appear to be “awake” or “alert” or if they’re moving. The caller replies, “No, no, no, no….dude, they’re not moving. Just send somebody out here really quick.”
At one point the caller sounds emotional as if he’s fighting back tears as he pleads with the 911 operator to send help quickly.
Gene and Betsy were last photographed in public one year ago.
Paparazzi photos shared by PEOPLE show the couple arriving for lunch at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe on March 28, 2024.
Photos show Hackman using a walking stick and holding Betsy’s arm as they entered the restaurant. It is thought to be the last photos of the pair.
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Gene Hackman’s family has issued a statement about his passing.
After news of Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths was made public, the actor’s daughters and granddaughter issued a statement saying that they are “devastated.”
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. 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,” Elizabeth, Leslie, and Abbie Hackman shared in a statement. “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Who are Gene Hackman’s children?
Hackman shared three children with his first wife, Faye Maltese: Christopher Allen Hackman, 63, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 61, and Leslie Ann Hackman, 57.
In a 2000 interview with Irish Independent, Hackman gave a rare glimpse into his relationship with his adult children.
He indicted to the outlet that he didn’t stay in close touch with his kids. The reporter wrote of the interview, “It is not clear how close he remains to his three grown-up children. When I ask what they are doing, he smiles and says: ‘Well, that’s a good question. I’m not sure, actually.”
Hackman explained, saying, “It’s tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity. 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.”
