New information has come to light about the deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64. The couple, along with one of their dogs, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home on 26 February during a routine welfare check.
The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office has released an affidavit that sheds more light on the grim discovery. According to the document, obtained by NBC News, Arakawa’s body was found in the bathroom next to a space heater and an open bottle of pills. The affidavit noted “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face, and mummification in both hands and feet”.
Hackman’s body was discovered in the kitchen area, with officials suspecting he may have “suddenly fallen”. Both bodies showed similar signs of decomposition, suggesting they had been deceased for at least a day before being found.
While the circumstances have been deemed suspicious enough to warrant a thorough investigation, preliminary findings showed no external signs of trauma. The Santa Fe City Fire Department found no evidence of carbon monoxide leaks or poisoning.
The front door of the couple’s home was found ajar, prompting the initial call to authorities. However, there were no signs of forced entry.
The man who called 911 to report finding the bodies was extremely distressed when he made the call.
“I’m not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked,” he told the dispatcher. “I can’t go in, but I see them. … She’s laying down from the window,” per NBC.
“Dude, they’re not moving,” the caller said. “Just send somebody out here really quick.”
As the entertainment world grapples with this loss, tributes have poured in for Hackman. Francis Ford Coppola, who directed Hackman in The Conversation, described him as “inspiring and magnificent”. George Takei hailed Hackman as “one of the true giants of the screen”.
Even Prince William and Kate Middleton paid their respects. “So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy,” the couple wrote on their X account.
“Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality.”
Hackman won Oscars for Unforgiven and The French Connection and Arakawa was a classical pianist.
The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause.
Lead image: AP News
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