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Gene Hackman’s Wife Betsy Was ‘Incredibly Kind’

BBG News

Previously cherished pet parents, Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, showed great devotion to their pets. Tragically, they were discovered deceased along with one of their dear canine companions in their residence in Santa Fe.

As per long-term companions Daniel Lenihan (age 79) and his spouse Barbara Lenihan (age 75), this pair was consistently diligent in caring for their pets.

According to Aaron Lenihan, aged 38, they consistently adopted German Shepherd rescue dogs, and they treated them with great care and exhibited a high level of responsibility as dog owners.

Currently, the Lenihan family is unsure of the whereabouts of the remaining two dogs, but Aaron pointed out that it would be a matter of concern for Hackman and Arakawa regarding their well-being.

The Lenihans also shared that they believed the pair were in good health and stayed active. 

According to Aaron, Betsy attempted to keep him somewhat occupied and involved, primarily through solving puzzles. However, Aaron also remembers that he may have done yoga regularly, possibly online through Zoom.

I must admit, they embodied a remarkable closeness that I rarely witness among couples. To put it simply, they appeared to be genuine life companions, bonded deeply, and their kindness was palpable. Admittedly, they were reserved individuals, yet authentic beyond measure.

As a dedicated admirer, I couldn’t help but observe how meticulously Arakawa took care of Hackman during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whenever they were out and about, she would always don a mask to ensure his safety.

‘She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible,’ he explained.

Last Friday, it was officially verified by investigators that neither Hackman nor his spouse contained any traces of carbon monoxide within them. Moreover, they discovered that the renowned actor had tragically passed away nine days prior to his discovery.

On Wednesday the 26th, Hackman, aged 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64 years old, were discovered deceased in a state of decomposition within their expensive $3.3 million residence located in Santa Fe.

During a press briefing held on a Friday afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared that the most recent incident registered by his pacemaker occurred on February 17th.

Officials believe with a high degree of certainty that February 17 marked the end of his life, as no further pacemaker activity was detected after that date.

The authorities have reported that neither carbon monoxide nor any other definite cause of death could be found in the couple’s bodies, as of now.

An autopsy report, acquired by DailyMail.com, disclosed that Arakawa’s body was discovered in a state of decomposition, with swelling on her face, and signs of mummification visible in her hands and feet.

In a mudroom adjacent to the kitchen, Hackman was discovered. His sunglasses and walking stick lay scattered on the ground, leading some to speculate that the actor may have experienced a fall.

Simultaneously, it was discovered that Arakawa had passed away on the bathroom floor. An empty prescription bottle of pills lay open, with its contents scattered over the bathroom countertop.

It’s not clear which medications they were or to whom they were prescribed. Near Arakawa, a space heater was found on the floor, and investigators speculate it might have tipped over around the time of her passing.

Authorities have chosen not to offer additional conjectures regarding the cause of the couple’s death or the sequence in which they passed away. The autopsy findings, expected to be released within a timeframe of four to six weeks, will provide more definitive information.

Previously, Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth proposed a hypothesis suggesting the couple succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning; however, this theory has since been disproven by the authorities.

She told TMZ that the family believed their deaths came about after inhaling the toxic fumes.

Hackman has three kids from his first marriage to Faye Maltese. For the past thirty years, he’s been married to classical pianist Arakawa.

In a career spanning several decades, starting from the ’60s up to the early 2000s, the rough-around-the-edges yet adored actor, Hackman, showcased his exceptional talent across numerous films. From playing villains and heroes to complex antiheroes in dramas, comedies, and action movies, he proved himself as one of the great actors of his time.

He was a five-time Academy Award nominee, winning once for “The French Connection” in 1972 and another time for “Unforgiven” two decades later. Regrettably, his passing occurred only four days prior to this year’s award ceremony.

In the mid-1980s, Hackman crossed paths with Arakawa, an accomplished pianist who had grown up in Hawaii and spent her free time working part-time at a gym in California, according to The New York Times’ report from 1989.

They soon moved in together, and by the end of the decade had decamped to Santa Fe.

A man who tends to keep to himself, Hackman earned the label of a solitary figure as he stayed largely away from public view after his departure from the film world for extended periods.

Back in 2020, during an interview with Empire, this veteran actor shared that he delighted in the DVD collection provided by his friend Arakawa. He mentioned his fondness for straightforward narratives often found in modest productions with limited budgets.

On Friday evenings, we’ve got a non-stop comedy extravaganza on the TV, focusing heavily on Eddie Izzard’s performances. His quick wit is simply astounding!

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2025-03-01 22:15

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