Gene Hackman mystery deepens after star, wife & dog found dead in DIFFERENT rooms with no suicide note amid gas fears

THE mystery into actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s tragic death has deepened as cops say the pair were found in separate rooms with no suicide note.

This comes as the film star’s family believe the married couple may have been poisoned in a suspected gas leak.

A man and woman in formal wear, arm in arm.

Gene Hackman was found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa on Wednesday afternoonCredit: Getty
Aerial view of Gene Hackman's home with law enforcement vehicles present.

Cops outside Gene’s home on Thursday morningCredit: AP
An elderly man with a cane walks with a woman.

The last public picture of Gene and his wife Betsy taken March 2024Credit: Splash
Couple with two German Shepherds in a park.

Gene and Betsy pictured with their dogs in 2014
Gene Hackman with his wife and daughters at the premiere of *The Chamber*.

Gene with Betsy and his daughters Leslie and Elizabeth in 1996Credit: Getty
Illustration of Gene Hackman and his wife's $3.8 million home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they were found dead.

One of the couple’s horrified friends found the bodies inside their $3.8million Santa Fe home and desperately called the cops on Wednesday afternoon.

Mystery still surrounds the shock deaths as the pair were found in separate rooms and one of their dogs was dead in a kennel while the others miraculously survived.

The first alarm was sounded yesterday when neighbors called up cops to report their concerns over the couple’s well-being, per ABC News.

Deputies rushed to the couple’s $3.8million mansion at around 1:45pm and found both of their bodies inside the home.


It comes as…


Officials have warned any official update on the cause of Hackman’s tragic death may still take a painfully long time to emerge.

It is believed to have taken an agonising 12 hours to formally identify the couple with their deaths only being confirmed Thursday morning.

Police have said they don’t suspect any foul play was at hand but have been unable to provide any official answers as of yet.

Investigators said they did not find a suicide note and there were no blatant signs of trauma to their bodies.

Gene’s haunting comments on his ‘fear of passing away’ before being found dead

Chris Ramirez, spokesperson for the New Mexico medical investigator’s office, told The Sun confirmation from the medical examiner’s office could still take anywhere between four to six weeks.

But the legendary actor’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, has told TMZ they believe the couple may have died from toxic fumes which caused carbon monoxide poisoning.

Police are also desperately awaiting a search warrant to scour the property, after initially leaving the home when they found the dead bodies, Sheriff Adan Mendoza told TMZ.

Cops said they applied for a warrant in case they came across criminal evidence.

Mystery still shrouds the couple’s shock death as Mendoza said they could have been victims of a double homicide, suicide, accidental death or natural causes, per TMZ.

INCREDIBLE CAREER

Gene’s breakout moment was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, where he played Buck Barrow.

He went on to star in Superman movies as well as hit films like Mississippi Burning, Unforgiven, Crimson Tide and The Poseidon Adventure.

In 1972, he scooped the Best Actor gong for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection.

Gene won a second Academy Award in 1993 as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the western flick Unforgiven.

He played Little Bill Daggett in the film that also starred Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Anna Thomson.

Unforgiven scooped four Oscars, including Best Picture.

His glittering Hollywood career included more than 100 acting roles.

He received five Academy Award nominations, won two Oscars, bagged two BAFTA nominations and three Golden Globes.

Aerial view of Gene Hackman's Santa Fe home.

Gene and Betsy were found at their $3.8million homeCredit: BackGrid
Gene Hackman accepting his Oscar for Best Actor.

Gene accepts his Oscar for best actor in 1971Credit: AP
Gene Hackman with his daughters at a Superman screening.

Gene with his daughters Elizabeth and Leslie at a 1978 screening of ‘Superman’Credit: Getty

HEARTFELT TRIBUTES

Floods of messages from fellow Hollywood stars have poured in to remember the acting legend and his special career.

American actor George Takei said Gene’s work “will live on forever”.

Takei said: “We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it.

“He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was.”

The great filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, remembered him as a “great actor”.

Coppola said: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.

“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”

Gene’s Superman co-star Valerie Perrine called the actor a “great”.

Perrine said: “He was a genius and one of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honour of working with him on Superman.”

Fellow Hollywood star Antonio Banderas also left a touching tribute this afternoon.

Banderas, who starred alongside Hackman in 1995 film Desperado, said on X: “A very sad day for the cinema’s family.

“My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.”

Gene Hackman holding a coffee cup and an apple pie.

The last public picture of Gene taken in March 2024Credit: Splash
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa at the Golden Globe Awards.

Gene and Betsy during The 60th Annual Golden Globe AwardsCredit: Getty
Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971).

Gene in the 1972 film The French ConnectionCredit: Alamy

You are not alone

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

For those in the UK please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

You May Also Like

Brent Bolthouse Net Worth

What Is Brent Bolthouse’s Net Worth? Brent Bolthouse is an American entrepreneur,…

The Highest-Paid NCAA Basketball Coaches, 2025 Edition

The men’s NCAA Tournament Final Four is set. If you don’t enjoy…

Nepo-baby with Emmy-winning mom and Hollywood director dad poses with Gerard Butler – can you guess her famous parents?

A NEPO baby with an Emmy-winning mom and Hollywood director dad has…

Adam Devine ‘told he is dying by doctor’ after horrifying injuries from being hit by a cement truck as a child

ADAM Devine has opened up about the impact of being hit by…