Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home this past February. Authorities have confirmed that Hackman passed away from natural causes.
The couple, who shared over three decades of marriage, lived a private life away from Hollywood’s spotlight. In his later years, Hackman focused on personal interests and spent time with loved ones. Close friends revealed that while he remained active, he was increasingly reflective about aging.
Authorities were alerted to the couple’s passing when a caretaker made a 911 call in the afternoon. Law enforcement determined that they had been deceased for some time. Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, along with his granddaughter, Annie, expressed their sorrow in a heartfelt statement, describing him as a beloved father and grandfather whose presence would be deeply missed.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. While he was admired around the world for his brilliant acting career, to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him dearly,” the family shared.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office conducted tests to rule out any external causes, confirming that there were no signs of foul play. Authorities concluded that their passing was due to natural causes.
Hackman’s death saddened fans and colleagues worldwide. Despite being 94, he was known to maintain an active lifestyle, engaging in yoga and other physical activities. His family noted that he had not undergone any recent medical procedures and had remained in relatively good health.
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