The entertainment world was stunned by the unexpected deaths of famed actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
According to Fox News, Gene Hackman died from a heart-related disease, and Betsy Arakawa-Hackman succumbed to a virus transmitted by rodents.
Authorities last saw the couple weeks earlier and discovered them deceased on February 26, 2025. The preliminary investigation determined different causes of death for the husband and wife. Gene Hackman died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which Alzheimer's disease worsened, while hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused Betsy's death.
Initially, investigators believed that Betsy Arakawa-Hackman passed away on February 11. However, recent findings from her cellphone activity led them to revise this date. Records show she used her phone on February 12, proving she was alive at least a day longer than previously thought.
On the morning of February 12, she made three calls to Cloudberry Health medical center in Santa Fe. That afternoon, the medical center attempted to call her back, but she did not answer, as confirmed by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department.
Investigators estimated Gene Hackman's death to have occurred around February 18, based on the last recorded activity from his pacemaker. Authorities did not discover either death until February 26, emphasizing the private nature of their final days.
The Santa Fe Sheriff's Department reported, "Pending cell phone records, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office investigation showed the last known activity of Mrs. Hackman to be February 11, 2025." Investigators later revised this initial assessment after further analysis of phone records.
At a news conference, Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell explained the severity of Betsy's condition. She described how hantavirus progresses aggressively from flu-like symptoms to potentially fatal respiratory and cardiac complications.
In response to the intense public and media interest, the Hackman estate secured a temporary restraining order to prevent the dissemination of certain images and information about the couple's deaths. This legal measure underscores the family's desire for privacy amid widespread speculation and attention.
The court has scheduled a hearing for March 31, 2025, to further discuss the details and scope of the restraining order, highlighting ongoing legal proceedings in this high-profile case.
On February 27, 2025, television crews gathered outside the gated community where the Hackmans lived, demonstrating the significant media attention surrounding this case.
In conclusion, the deaths of Gene and Betsy Hackman have revealed a complex timeline marked by medical emergencies and heartbreak. Investigators revised the timeline based on Betsy's phone records, extending her last known day alive to February 12.
Meanwhile, Gene Hackman battled heart disease and Alzheimer's for years, conditions that ultimately led to his passing approximately a week after his wife's death. Legal disputes persist as the family fights to maintain their privacy through a restraining order, with a crucial hearing set for the end of March.
