A close friend of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa has shared the heartbreaking reason why the late Hollywood legend was unable to call for help following his wife’s death.
The entertainment world was left stunned when the decomposed bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were discovered at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home late last month.
Initially, it was widely speculated that the couple had died from carbon monoxide poisoning or some type of gas leak. Some more extreme theories even suggested they had been murdered. Early reports indicated that authorities did not suspect foul play, but as the investigation unfolded, suspicions grew enough to warrant a more thorough probe.
As the world anxiously awaited the results of the toxicology reports, bits of information continued to emerge. On Friday of last week, it was confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa had passed away from natural causes, although the circumstances were unexpected. Arakawa’s death was attributed to the rare viral infection Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a severe and often fatal illness contracted through exposure to rodent droppings or urine.
According to The Guardian, Arakawa had become Hackman’s primary caregiver in recent years. The two-time Oscar-winning actor had developed Alzheimer’s disease and could no longer manage simple tasks. As a result, Arakawa took charge of their home and ensured her husband’s well-being.
After her death, which is believed to have occurred around February 11, Hackman was left alone in the house for several days, disoriented and unable to seek help. Investigators later suggested that Hackman may not have even realized his wife had passed away.
A close friend of the couple, Tom Allin, revealed to The Daily Mail that Hackman would have been unable to call for assistance because he did not have a phone and was “uninterested in technology.”
“This is so tragic. Mrs. Hackman died, and Gene was so far advanced in his Alzheimer’s that he was wandering around without eating,” an insider shared, pointing to Hackman’s debilitating illness, which also played a significant role in his death. The source added, “Without a phone, he wouldn’t have been able to ask for help, even if he wanted to.”
One of the couple’s three dogs, Zinna, was also found dead in a crate when the bodies were discovered by maintenance worker Jesse Kesler.
Rest in peace, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.