What Happened to Gene Hackman? Updates on His Death Investigation

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in February 2025. An investigation has been launched to find out what happened to them.

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Legendary actor Gene Hackman was found dead in his home on February 26, 2025, at the age of 95. Along with the Superman star, the bodies of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog were also found. While no foul play is suspected, an investigation into their deaths has been launched by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.

What Happened to Gene Hackman and His Wife?

According to multiple outlets, authorities were called to Hackman’s house in Hyde Park around 1:45 p.m. on February 26, 2025. Hackman, Arakawa and their dog were all found deceased, according to the county sheriff’s public information officer, Denise Womack Avila.

“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time. However, the exact cause of death has not been determined,” Avila said in a statement to NBC News.

A welfare check was requested after a neighbor contacted the police, and the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were not formally identified until 12:30 a.m. on February 27, 2025.

Who Was Gene Hackman’s Wife, Betsy Arakawa?

Arakawa was a classical pianist and had been married to Hackman for over 30 years at their time of death. They began dating in 1984 and eventually tied the knot in 1991.

Hackman was previously married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986, and they had three children together. However, he made it clear that he didn’t leave Maltese for Arakawa. Hackman and Maltese, who died in 2007, separated a few years before their divorce was finalized.

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He told the Florida South Sun-Sentinal in 1985 that he “did not leave his wife for a younger woman.” Instead, the Popeye star explained that he and Maltese “just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”

Gene Hackman Retired Due to a ‘Health Warning’

At the age of 74, Hackman was given a “health warning” from his doctor in 2004.

“The business for me is very stressful,” the French Connection star said at the time.

He later revealed that the stress was taking a toll on his heart and spoke about his health during an interview with Empire in 2009.

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“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” Hackman explained. “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”

As he aged, the Hoosiers actor realized the entertainment industry was more stressful from the business side of things, as opposed to being in front of the camera. However, his love for the art of acting never faded.

“When I’m actually on the set or on a stage, actually doing the work, I loved that process and I loved the creative process of trying to bring a character to life,” Hackman added. “And then, when you’re actually shooting or performing, there is a kind of a feeling that comes over you, a confidence and kind of a wonderful, washed-over feeling of wellbeing, if you will. When it’s going well!”

He continued, “Whereas the business part of show business is kinda wicked. You jump from trying to be a sponge, if you will, in terms of input from other actors and the director and everything that’s surrounding you, you jump from that to a luncheon meeting with an agent and a producer on another film, or something that’s gone on on the film that you’re doing. It’s kind of a frying pan. It was jarring and at my age and with my health, I decided I didn’t want to do that any longer.”

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