{"id":22890,"date":"2025-02-28T17:45:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T17:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=22890"},"modified":"2025-02-28T17:45:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T17:45:44","slug":"gene-hackman-and-betsy-arakawas-deaths-a-chronology-of-what-we-know-so-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=22890","title":{"rendered":"Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths: A Chronology of What We Know So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The passing of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, stuns the world. The tragic news sparks a wave of speculation, with various theories and discussions emerging.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Stay with us for the latest updates as the story unfolds.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Gene Hackman’s Daughters Spotted Out for the First Time Since Their Father Was Found Dead<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The iconic actor’s daughters were seen in public for the first time following his shocking death alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The sisters appeared to be in good spirits as they dined together in California.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

On Thursday, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman were seen\u00a0stepping out together<\/a>, seemingly coping as they grabbed a meal at the all-day breakfast chain. Photos obtained by DailyMail.com captured the sisters arriving at the restaurant in a gray SUV.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A screenshot of a social media user’s comment about Gene Hackman’s daughters’ recent public outing from a post dated February 28, 2025. | Source: Instagram\/daily mail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The outing came one day after Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Despite the tragedy, the sisters managed to share a smile as they left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

“I know people grieve differently but when your dad was found like he did and also deaths being investigated they look way to [sic] happy and relaxed,”<\/i>\u00a0one social media user\u00a0commented<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A screenshot of a social media user’s comment about Gene Hackman’s daughters’ recent public outing from a post dated February 28, 2025. | Source: Facebook\/daily mail<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Another\u00a0shared<\/a>,\u00a0“Their smiles look awfully disturbing,”<\/i>\u00a0while a third\u00a0typed<\/a>,\u00a0“They look very happy..why?!” “This whole thing is just weird and strange,”<\/i>\u00a0a fourth person\u00a0typed<\/a>\u00a0while a fifth\u00a0added<\/a>,\u00a0“Excited for the life insurance coming.”\u00a0<\/i>Another social media user\u00a0remarked<\/a>,\u00a0“Looking like they just hit the lottery.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Leslie had previously done an exclusive interview, breaking her silence on their father’s passing. “We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple months, but everything was normal and everything was good,” she\u00a0shared<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Gene Hackman’s<\/a>\u00a0daughters previously described him as a private person and said he had been in good health prior to his sudden death. The family continues to wait for more answers as the investigation unfolds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Gene Hackman’s Family Speaks Out Following His Death \u2013 Details<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n

This week, Gene Hackman and his wife were mysteriously found dead at their home, and the situation is being investigated by the police. His heartbroken daughters revealed that they had not spoken to or seen him in recent months.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

On February 26, 2025, news broke that Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home, shocking the world. At the time of their deaths, the actor was 95, and his wife was 64.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Betsy<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on January 19, 2003 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The couple’s bodies were discovered in separate rooms of their $3.8 million home. Gene and his wife’s neighbor and caretaker called emergency services after discovering the bodies. Since the news emerged, some of Gene’s family members have shared their thoughts and grief about the matter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The day after his death, Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Hackman, two of the late actor’s three children, along with his granddaughter, Annie, broke their silence with a statement. They\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene,<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene, Betsy, Leslie, and Elizabeth Hackman at the premiere of “The Chamber” in Beverly Hills, California, on October 2, 1996 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Their statement\u00a0continued<\/u><\/a>, “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.” The trio\u00a0concluded<\/u><\/a>, “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa at the Mission Hills Celebrity Sports Invitational on November 30, 1991, in California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

On the day the statement was released, Leslie shared her thoughts on her father’s death. She revealed to a publication that the family was awaiting information from law enforcement to determine the couple’s cause of death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa at the DW Griffith Awards on February 24, 1992, in New York | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Leslie and Elizabeth can only speculate that the couple might have died from inhaling toxic fumes, possibly due to a carbon monoxide leak. Their father and stepmother were not the only ones who perished in the house; one of their three dogs also passed away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

According to Leslie, the\u00a0family is still processing<\/u><\/a>\u00a0the incident since “there was no indication that there was any problem” with Gene before his death. The 58-year-old\u00a0revealed<\/u><\/a>, “Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Betsy<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman at the 66th Annual Academy Awards on March 21, 1994, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

She shared that he enjoyed doing yoga and Pilates several times a week and was in good health. The late star’s daughter also noted that the actor had not undergone any major surgeries in recent months. However, Leslie\u00a0admitted<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that losing him was “not terribly shocking because he was 95.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

As a California resident, Gene’s daughter\u00a0acknowledged<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that it had been “a few months” since she last saw or heard from her reclusive father, despite their close bond. Leslie\u00a0explained<\/u><\/a>, “We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple of months, but everything was normal, and everything was good.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Betsy<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman at the Thalians Ball in honor of Liza Minnelli on October 8, 1994, in Century City, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office stated that the couple’s bodies had been in their home for at least a day before deputies found them. An arrest warrant revealed that both bodies showed signs of decomposition while the affidavit\u00a0deemed<\/u><\/a>\u00a0the deaths \u201csuspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Leslie intends to go to New Mexico as soon as she receives feedback from the police. She\u00a0explained<\/u><\/a>, “We need to wait and find out whatever information from the police. We weren’t expecting to have to go out there and go through the house and all that.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa at the premiere of “The Chamber” on October 2, 1996, at the Academy Theater in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Gene’s daughter\u00a0continued<\/u><\/a>, “So we have some work cut out for us. But yeah, we’ll be going out to New Mexico.” The late actor’s first wife was Faye Maltese, with whom he welcomed Leslie, her sister, and their older brother, Christopher Allen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The “Superman” star and his first wife, a bank clerk, were married from 1956 to 1986. Speaking about her father and Betsy’s marriage, Leslie\u00a0said<\/u><\/a>, “They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa at Elaine’s promoting his book “Wake of the Perido Star” on November 3, 1999 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

She\u00a0continued<\/u><\/a>, \u201c'[Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health. So I am appreciative to her for that, and I’m very saddened by her passing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

On the same day Leslie opened up, Tim Hackman, Gene’s nephew, also shared his thoughts. Tim revealed that he and his side of the family learned about his uncle and his wife’s death through Leslie before the news broke. He also mentioned that Leslie was the family member who had the most contact with the late couple.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Tony<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tony Curtis, Leslie Allen Hackman, and Gene Hackman at a party at the Candy Store in Beverly Hills, California, on July 23, 1975 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The 51-year-old relative shared that he found out the truth on Wednesday night and was saddened to learn that his uncle’s death was not natural. When asked if Gene had any significant health issues, he\u00a0responded<\/u><\/a>, “I mean, he was old. I’m sure he had some [health] concerns, but nothing that was shared.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Barbara Hackman, Tim’s mother, was married to Gene’s brother, Richard, who worked as the late actor’s stuntman and passed away 11 years ago. Tim also shared the last time he saw the late star,\u00a0stating<\/u><\/a>, “Eleven years ago was the last time I physically saw him. He only came to California during the warm weather, and then he just stayed in New Mexico.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene,<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene, Elizabeth, and Leslie Hackman at the screening of “Superman” on December 10, 1978, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Despite it being over a decade, Tim\u00a0clarified<\/u><\/a>\u00a0that Gene was not “estranged” from the rest of the family. The late actor’s nephew\u00a0elaborated<\/u><\/a>, “He liked New Mexico. He loved it. It’s a beautiful place.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Tim revealed that he mostly communicated with his uncle through Betsy, but\u00a0they only spoke<\/u><\/a>\u00a0“every once in a while” since Gene was “at the age where he wasn’t really communicative a lot with the family.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa at the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race in Long Beach, California, on April 4, 1987 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Most of their communication involved Tim\u00a0giving Betsy updates<\/u><\/a>\u00a0on how he and his children were doing “because our major connection was the military background, but that was it really.” He recalled how Betsy would inform him that his uncle was doing well and staying active for his age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Like Leslie, Tim believed his wife cared deeply for Gene,\u00a0insisting<\/u><\/a>, “I truly believe he made it as long as he did because of her.” Since there was a 31-year age difference between the late couple, the Hackman family anticipated that he would pass away first, leaving his wife to handle the funeral arrangements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Gene<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Gene Hackman posing for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1996 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

However, with both of them now gone, the family has had to make contingency plans. Tim\u00a0noted<\/u><\/a>, “So the preparedness of it was that he would go first and that we would probably, maybe, depending on whatever it was [Betsy] had set up, would go down there and pay our condolences and everything.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

He\u00a0continued<\/u><\/a>, \u201cNow with this, it significantly changes things. I have no idea what – I’m assuming one of his kids will probably take over – and [plan]. I don’t know. It’s still very, very early.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
Advertisement<\/span><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Leslie<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Leslie and Gene Hackman at the “Class Action” premiere in Century City, California, on March 13, 1991 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

While Gene’s funeral plans are currently uncertain, the distressing 911 call made by the couple’s caretaker has been released. On the recording, it was clear the caller was shaken as they hesitated to reveal that they had found two bodies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The dispatcher responded by immediately sending paramedics while the caretaker was heard sniffling and repeatedly cursing. The caller struggled to give details when asked about the individuals they had discovered, unable to provide their ages or genders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n