Gene Hackman’s Oscar Memorial

The police coroner has determined the causes of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife, legally known as Betsy Arakawa Hackman.

NARRATIVE

Mrs. Hackman was last seen on Feb. 11th at a veterinarian appointment with her dog, Xena.  Afterward, she purchased some dog food and was seen at CVS pharmacy.  At this stage, she had come in contact with a hantavirus, a disease carried by rodents in New Mexico.  Where or how this happened is not known.  24 to 48 hours after Betsy’s last public appearance, she would succumb to the fatal effects of her illness.  It’s assumed she did not know what she had and ignored the symptoms – maintaining her role as Gene Hackman’s wife and caregiver.  The pills found by her side were thyroid medication.

Gene Hackman, (last publicly seen in March 2024 visiting his doctor) was in declining health.  Reports state he suffered from Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.  Because Mr. Hackman didn’t phone 911, it’s believed he didn’t know what happened to his wife or didn’t know what to do.  In the last five to seven days, Mr. Hackman was forced to fend for himself.  On Feb. 18th, Gene Hackman collapsed and died from his earlier mentioned illnesses.

ERRORS IN JUDGMENT

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Hackman

The Hackmans lived a solitary existence on their large estate not accounting for what would happen if Betsy Arakawa wasn’t able to provide for her husband or care for herself.

Hackman’s three adult children had lost contact with their father, rarely calling.  This embitterment was caused by being ignored when they were young while their father was making movies.

Actions or non-actions have consequences.  What Gene Hackman thought of his children ignoring him in his final years isn’t known.

Final days

Text © 2025 – EricReports

Since actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead on Feb. 26th, there have been a number of new developments.

The above 9-1-1 call:

Ron the caretaker calls 9-1-1 from “Santa Fe Summit”.

Ron:  “I think we just found two or one deceased person inside a house.”

9-1-1 operator:  “Are they awake?”

Ron:  “I have no idea.”

9-1-1 operator:  “Are they breathing?”

Ron:  “I have no idea.  I’m not inside the house.  It’s closed.  It’s locked.  I can’t get in, but I see she’s laying down on the floor from the window.”

Ron states that at least one, maybe two people are “deceased” in the house.  When asked if they are awake or breathing, why would he say “I have no idea.”

Gene Hackman and his three children (1978.)

Gene Hackman had three adult children by a previous marriage.  Reportedly, they were estranged from their father and had little or no contact with him.

It was planned for Betsy Arakawa to handle the funeral arrangements.  The children (now rich) will have to deal with it because of the wife’s unforeseen death.

The current theory is that Hackman had a stroke or heart attack and that Arakawa suffered the same fate rushing into the bathroom for medication.

By now, police and the coroner must know the cause of death for their dog.  (And whether or not the dog died at the same time or days later.)  If Gene Hackman and his wife died from natural causes they would know that also.  Only if it’s something else would it take longer.

Text © 2025 – ERN

Santa Fe, New Mexico.  On Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, the bodies of actor/writer Gene Hackman, 95,  and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found in their 3.3 million dollar estate.  Time of death can be ascertained from Hackman’s pacemaker:  Feb. 17th, meaning he had been dead for ten days.  A pair of sunglasses and a cane were found near his body in the foyer.

Betsy Arakawa accompanies actor Gene Hackman.  She was formerly a classical pianist.

Betsy Arakawa was found in the bathroom near a bottle of spilled prescription pills.  Police have seized three types of medication:  Diltiazem (for high blood pressure), a thyroid supplement and Tylenol.  Two cell phones and a yearly planner were also confiscated.

Their secluded home. Hackman & wife helped design their estate which appeared in “Architectural Digest”

Strangely, their dog was also found dead.  Conflicting reports state the dog was either in a closet or a crate.  Two other dogs survived.  All three were German Shepherds.

WHAT HAPPENED? – CLUES

Originally, police reported no foul play and assumed it was caused by a gas leak.  Since then, these tests have proven negative.

Possibilities.  Mr. Hackman may have died from a heart attack or stroke.  His wife may have run in the bathroom for medication, then suddenly suffered the same fate.

The dog who died may have been on his way to the veterinarian or was dying.  If this was Hackman’s favorite dog, the stress could have killed Hackman.

MURDER

It’s impossible to rule out murder.  How or why is unknown.  It is unfortunate that celebrities attract some insane fans.  Death could have been caused by poisoning.  It’s almost unheard of for two people to die suddenly without explanation and be left alone for a week and a half.

CAREER

Gene Hackman was one of the most popular actors of the 1970’s.  He received two Academy Awards for “The French Connection” (1971) and “Unforgiven” (1992.)  There were three other Oscar nominations for “Bonnie & Clyde” (1967), “I Never Sang for My Father” (1970) and “Mississippi Burning” (1988.)

BAFTA Awards.  The British equivalent of the Oscar won Hackman three awards for “The French Connection”, “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Unforgiven”.

The Golden Globes (Hollywood Foreign Press) awarded him for “The French Connection”, “Unforgiven” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” and he was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award.  (Similar to a lifetime achievement award.)

“The Conversation” (1974) also received two nominations for his acting.  (BAFTA and the Globes.)

Commercial Hits.  Gene Hackman was both a critics and audience favorite: “Superman” (1978) and “Superman II” (1981), “Uncommon Valor” (1983), “Hoosiers” (1986), “The Firm” (1993) “Get Shorty” (1995) and “The Birdcage” (1996.)  The list goes on…

It could take weeks, months or these deaths may go unresolved.

Text © 2025 – EricReports