Gene Hackman’s family has released a statement following the unexpected deaths of the Hollywood icon and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Their daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter, Annie, expressed their heartbreak, saying, “We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Authorities in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have labeled the case “suspicious enough” to warrant a full investigation. Hackman, 95, was found on the floor near a walking cane and sunglasses, while Arakawa, 63, was discovered in the bathroom next to a space heater. Police noted her body showed signs of decomposition.
A maintenance worker first found the scene after noticing the home’s front door was unlocked. Investigators also found an open prescription bottle with scattered pills, but a preliminary check ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. The New Mexico Gas Company confirmed there were no gas leaks in the residence.
While authorities have not determined an official cause of death, they continue to analyze evidence. Hackman’s passing has shocked fans worldwide, as he had been living a quiet retirement in Santa Fe for decades.
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