The Mysterious Deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa: Family, Friends, and Authorities Seek Answers

The Mysterious Deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa: Family, Friends, and Authorities Seek Answers

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The sudden and tragic deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have left lingering questions—not only about their final moments but also about their family relationships in the months leading up to the discovery of their bodies. As The New York Post reported on Friday, Arakawa’s own mother, Yoshie Feaster, who suffers from dementia, had not spoken to her daughter since October, raising concerns about their well-being long before their deaths were discovered.

According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Arakawa, 65, typically made monthly or bi-monthly calls to her 91-year-old mother, who resides in Hawaii. However, these calls suddenly ceased after October, leaving Feaster and those around her wondering what had happened. The mystery deepened when Keiko, Feaster’s long-time housekeeper, spoke out about the unsettling silence, revealing that they had grown increasingly worried as months passed with no word from Arakawa.

“Betsy hadn’t called her mother in months. She usually called every one or two months. Last time she called was October. We were thinking, what happened?” Keiko recalled in an interview with The New York Post.

Keiko’s statement sheds new light on a possible early warning sign that something was amiss in Hackman and Arakawa’s household. Given that their deaths are still under investigation, the apparent lack of communication raises questions about whether their decline was gradual or if something sudden and unexpected happened behind closed doors.

As reported by The New York Post, authorities informed Yoshie Feaster of her daughter and son-in-law’s deaths on Wednesday. However, due to her advanced dementia, she has already forgotten the tragic news. The situation has left Keiko, who has cared for Feaster for over two decades, heartbroken over her employer’s inability to fully grasp the loss of her daughter.

“She talked to a New Mexico policeman the other day. But she has dementia so she forgot already. I feel so sorry for her,” Keiko shared with The New York Post.

The housekeeper also described Feaster’s fluctuating moods in the wake of the shocking revelation. While initially devastated upon hearing about Arakawa’s passing, she has since returned to a seemingly normal state, unaware of the tragedy that has befallen her family. As The New York Post report noted, Feaster is Arakawa’s only surviving close relative, making this loss all the more significant.

The timeline of Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths remains uncertain, but new details from the investigation suggest that the iconic actor may have passed away as early as February 17. According to  the information contained in The New York Post report, Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last “event” on that day, leading authorities to believe that this was his last day of life.

“According to the pathologist, I think it’s a good assumption that was his last day of life,” Mendoza stated during a press conference, as reported by The New York Post.

The couple’s bodies, along with one of their German Shepherds, were discovered in their Santa Fe home on February 26 by maintenance workers, meaning Hackman had likely been deceased for at least nine days before anyone found them. The exact circumstances of their deaths remain under investigation, though initial reports confirm there were no signs of external trauma or carbon monoxide poisoning, as The New York Post has detailed.

Despite the absence of clear external causes, the mystery surrounding the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa remains unsolved. As The New York Post reported, authorities are continuing to piece together the sequence of events that led to the couple’s passing. The lack of communication with Arakawa’s mother, coupled with the prolonged period before their discovery, adds to the uncertainty surrounding the case.

As The New York Post reported, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, along with his granddaughter Annie, confirmed the couple’s passing in an emotional statement on Thursday.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy,” their statement read. “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. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

Despite Hackman’s immense fame and status as an Oscar-winning actor, The New York Post report noted that his later years were largely spent in quiet seclusion in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

While Gene Hackman was revered by fans, the relationship with his immediate family appears to have been complicated. As The New York Post reported, his daughter Leslie revealed that she hadn’t spoken to her father “in months,” though she claimed he had been in good health the last time they spoke. This distance raises further questions about what might have transpired in the months leading up to the couple’s untimely passing.

The New York Post report also highlighted that despite this estrangement, Hackman’s family members are struggling to come to terms with their loss. The silence between father and daughter may have been routine, but in retrospect, it now adds another layer to the growing mystery surrounding the couple’s final days.

Newly released police affidavits, detailed in The New York Post report, paint a disturbing picture of the scene inside Hackman and Arakawa’s Santa Fe home when authorities arrived. Officers noted that the house was “unsecured and opened,” with no signs of forced entry or theft—a detail that has left investigators searching for answers.

Even more unsettling was the presence of an open orange prescription pill bottle, with pills scattered around the room where Arakawa’s body was discovered. Beside her, one of their German Shepherd dogs was found deceased in a kennel. The state of Arakawa’s body suggested she had been dead for days before authorities arrived. According to the report in The New York Post, the affidavit described “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face, and mummification in both hands and feet.”

Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom, and officers reported that his condition was “similar and consistent” with that of his wife, leading them to believe that he, too, had been dead for several days. While The New York Post report confirmed that law enforcement does not suspect foul play, authorities have deemed the deaths “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”

As the cause of death remains undetermined, The New York Post reported that police have seized several personal items from Hackman and Arakawa’s home in hopes of piecing together their final days. Among the items collected are two green cellphones, Tylenol, thyroid medication, Diltiazem (a high blood pressure medication), medical records, and a 2025 planner.

Investigators are analyzing phone calls, texts, photos, and other data from the seized devices, hoping to construct a timeline of events leading up to the couple’s deaths. The 2025 planner may provide insight into any medical appointments or significant upcoming events that could offer clues about their final days.

While toxicology results and autopsy findings are still pending, The New York Post report emphasized that authorities are approaching the case with caution, as the unusual circumstances warrant further scrutiny.

Despite the eerie nature of their deaths, those who knew Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa describe their relationship as one built on deep love and companionship. The New York Post spoke exclusively with film producer Matthew Gross, a close friend of the couple, who described their bond as nothing short of remarkable.

“They had a true love affair … Capital L love,” Gross said on Thursday. “They were very happy together, and we are all incredibly, incredibly shocked by this.”

For years, Hackman and Arakawa were known for their private life away from Hollywood, settling in Santa Fe to enjoy a peaceful existence far from the limelight. As The New York Post report noted, their relationship spanned over 34 years, making them one of the more enduring couples in the entertainment world.

While there are no immediate signs of foul play, the unexplained circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa mean the case remains open. Authorities will be waiting for the results of further forensic analysis, including toxicology tests, to determine whether natural causes, accidental overdose, or other unknown factors contributed to their deaths.

The loss of Hackman—a two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for films such as The French Connection and Unforgiven—marks the end of an era. However, beyond the legacy of his illustrious career, his passing leaves lingering questions about what happened in his final days and why no one had noticed the couple’s absence sooner.

For now, family, friends, and fans of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa must wait as investigators sift through the available evidence. The world may remember Hackman for his cinematic brilliance, but as The New York Post reported, those closest to him will always remember him as Dad, Grandpa, and a devoted husband.