Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #2

[Kemug]

Additionally,

---

Layout of the home [Source]​

-View attachment 567213

---

Interior photos of the home​

View attachment 567209View attachment 567210
View attachment 567211View attachment 567212

---

I'll add these to the document and get a transcript of the 911 call here, soon

This magnificent home must surely have had some cleaning people. And you would assume at least every 2 weeks.

 

[nao]

Moo... Gene's health was declining, that takes and emotional toll. Maybe they were just cocooning. Some people want space and silence when under pressure. Some people want to be close and and talk....moo

 

[Luna20]

What would make them become increasingly isolated to the point that they stopped contacting family members they, reportedly, spoke to somewhat frequently?
I’m perplexed on that.

Even if they were wanting to be reclusive, I don’t know why a phone call once a month to a 95 year old parent wouldn’t be welcome. Even a text would be nice. At his age, every day could be the last.

Curious if any of his children were estranged. Hopefully his Will is specific regarding their inheritance.

 

[IceIce9]

Even if they were wanting to be reclusive, I don’t know why a phone call once a month to a 95 year old parent wouldn’t be welcome. Even a text would be nice. At his age, every day could be the last.

Curious if any of his children were estranged. Hopefully his Will is specific regarding their inheritance.

And you would think Gene’s children would have been in touch with their 95 year old father.

JMO

 

[Gemmie]

Moo... Gene's health was declining, that takes and emotional toll. Maybe they were just cocooning. Some people want space and silence when under pressure. Some people want to be close and and talk....moo

The article linked below says that his health had been deteriorating in the past year. Understandable! He was 95 when he passed. And... he was apparently riding a bicycle a year ago. Wow! Some bullets from what neighbors have said:

• He had been declining in recent times
• He was "essentially kind of home-bound"
• He quit riding his bike through the neighborhood about a year ago
• Betsy was doing her best to keep him active, engaged, and as healthy as possible
• He did puzzles and yoga every day via Zoom

'Homebound' Gene Hackman's health was 'slipping' before his death

The 95-year-old actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, February 26.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Kemug]

I could understand (just) if they had planned a suicide pact together, but this doesn't look like that, IMO.

 

[ClearAhead]

The article linked below says that his health had been deteriorating in the past year. Understandable! He was 95 when he passed. And... he was apparently riding a bicycle a year ago. Wow! Some bullets from what neighbors have said:

• He had been declining in recent times
• He was "essentially kind of home-bound"
• He quit riding his bike through the neighborhood about a year ago
• Betsy was doing her best to keep him active, engaged, and as healthy as possible
• He did puzzles and yoga every day via Zoom

'Homebound' Gene Hackman's health was 'slipping' before his death

The 95-year-old actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, February 26.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Yeah I’d say living a healthy life to the age of 95 and having fun doing it is something to be admired. This article talks about his valued presence in the community of Santa Fe.

Pilates, painting and bike rides: Gene Hackman's life in Santa Fe

After leaving Hollywood, Gene Hackman retired in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he became a fixture in the community.

www.bbc.com

 

[slowpoke]

Even if they were wanting to be reclusive, I don’t know why a phone call once a month to a 95 year old parent wouldn’t be welcome. Even a text would be nice. At his age, every day could be the last.

Curious if any of his children were estranged. Hopefully his Will is specific regarding their inheritance.

Estrangement, no-contact or minimal contact between parents and their adult children is a very personal decision. Sometimes it feels necessary, putting yourself first for one’s mental health.

I don’t know that this applies to any of the parties here, though— just a general thought. As I stated in an earlier post of mine, I only hope Mr. Hackman made peace with his regrets over not having good relationships with his kids growing up. And likewise, his adult kids, too.

JMO

 

[ttjo]

Estrangement, no-contact or minimal contact between parents and their adult children is a very personal decision. Sometimes it feels necessary, putting yourself first for one’s mental health.

I don’t know that this applies to any of the parties here, though— just a general thought. As I stated in an earlier post of mine, I only hope Mr. Hackman made peace with his regrets over not having good relationships with his kids growing up. And likewise, his adult kids, too.

JMO

Inside Gene Hackman's 'tough' relationship with three children.

 

[Friday Fan]

The reporting party Roland B used a cellphone at the house, outside, to call 911, and did mention that the call may get disconnected as he headed to the gate/main road. However the cell service was fairly reliable from beginning to end, the worst being at the main gate. Assuming that GH and BA had same cell service, and perhaps even a landline, it is inconceivable that one of them had a medical event and the other succumbed later, without calling for help.

My theory rests on them dying within minutes of each other. Carbon Monoxide would be an obvious cause, however in light of none detected in the initial tests, the possibility that Roland B fumigated the house for pests in day(s) prior to Feb 17th raises a possibility.

Pest control is not limited to setting poison traps for rodents. It includes fumigation of wood boring insects with chemicals and even in some cases tenting the structure and introducing a deadly gas. I had a house tented in Florida and can assure you, that you do not want to go inside the tent. We stayed at the beach for three days. There have been several cases where vacationers have succumbed to pest fumigation at resorts where tenting was not used and areas adjacent to the room were fumigated.

It would have killed the other dogs. Dogs are much more sensitive than humans. They are on the ground. They lick their paws etc etc etc....


And why wasn't their home evacuated? They even have two homes on the property. And why haven't other people in Santa Fe died from such an unscrupulous practice? Reputable pest control services are licensed and bonded.

Insecticide inhalation is not like cyanide gas inhalation. Fumigants get in the wood, but the insects die from ingesting the wood.

When was the last time people in the US suddenly died from inhaling household pesticide fumes (not ingestion and not industrial fumes)? Much less a wealthy actor living in a mansion, who was an animal lover and could afford a safe, reliable pest control company? I really don't think he would have hired a fly by night company. Even then, I highly doubt they could have killed two adults, yet left two dogs alive.

I do my own pest control and order from a professional site. (I use strong chemicals) Inhalation usually results in ringing of the ears and/or mild dizziness. I'm terrified of roaches.....I've had skin injuries from working in 103 degree heat. (Similar to sunburn)

Toxic Gas List | School of Chemical Sciences | Illinois

Below is a list of toxic gases that must be stored under continuous ventilation either in a fume hood or ventilated gas cabinet.

scs.illinois.edu

 

[ttjo]

Rare interview with Gene Hackman and Larry king,

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/27/entertainment/video/gene-hackman-larry-king-interview-retirement-digvid

and here is the full interview if you want more.

 

[Gemmie]

Inside Gene Hackman's 'tough' relationship with three children.

In a nutshell what I took from your article is that it was hard since he was on the road for months at a time and enamored with Hollywood. He didn't handle it very well (his quote, not my opinion). And apparently there were temptations, that don't usually bode well for relationships. "The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me. I wasn't able to handle that."

 

[STAGNUM]

What would make them become increasingly isolated to the point that they stopped contacting family members they, reportedly, spoke to somewhat frequently?
I’m perplexed on that.

This is all speculation: His children were from a previous marriage. I wont even speculate the dynamics of that because sometimes children get brainwashed against the other parent during a divorce. Then you have him marrying again and that creates a rift as to perceived inheritance. His wife was considerable younger and likely would inherit all unless he carved out provisions for the children. He was under no obligation to do so, and certainly no obligation to inform the children as to any inheritance set aside. You have to remember that in his previous divorce, his ex wife would have received compensation and that would become her estate to pass on as she pleases. My parents had none of those complications. However there were siblings that expected "their inheritance" while my parents were still alive. Which is nonsense. I would get calls from my dad asking me if I wanted any money, so I knew something was afoot in that regard. At 95 years old I am sure he cherished his time with AB and ignored the phone quite a bit. We do in my house because 99% of the calls are solicitors or some medical insurance nonsense. So if the kids felt isolated, they should send a letter.

 

[ldlager]

If/ once wife died, who would have been the beneficiary?

Assume the beneficiary in his Will was his wife. And the beneficiaries in her Will were his 3 children. If he died alone, the kids may have to wait decades until she passed away. Plus in the meantime after his death, she could have changed her will at any time to exclude his kids. Seems like a plausible motive to me.

 

[STAGNUM]

It would have killed the other dogs. Dogs are much more sensitive than humans. They are on the ground. They lick their paws etc etc etc....


And why wasn't their home evacuated? They even have two homes on the property. And why haven't other people in Santa Fe died from such an unscrupulous practice?

Insecticide inhalation is not like cyanide gas inhalation. Fumigants get in the wood, but the insects die from ingesting the wood.

When was the last time people in the US suddenly died from inhaling household pesticide fumes (not ingestion and not industrial fumes)? Much less a wealthy actor living in a mansion, who was an animal lover and could afford a safe, reliable pest control company?

I do my own pest control and order from a professional site. (I use strong chemicals) Inhalation usually results in ringing of the ears and/or mild dizziness. I'm terrified of roaches.....I've had skin injuries from working in 103 degree heat. (Similar to sunburn)

Toxic Gas List | School of Chemical Sciences | Illinois

Below is a list of toxic gases that must be stored under continuous ventilation either in a fume hood or ventilated gas cabinet.

scs.illinois.edu

We are not talking about a DIY pest control service. <modsnip> I think I posted previously, about two pest control employees dead and one injured fumigating a commercial building in Florida in the past couple years. Two died within a couple hours and they were working OUTSIDE the building. These of course were commercial products requiring a LICENSED technician.

"When was the last time people in the US suddenly died from inhaling household pesticide fumes (not ingestion and not industrial fumes)? Much less a wealthy actor living in a mansion, who was an animal lover and could afford a safe, reliable pest control company?"

 

[ttjo]

In a nutshell what I took from your article is that it was hard since he was on the road for months at a time and enamored with Hollywood. He didn't handle it very well (his quote, not my opinion). And apparently there were temptations, that don't usually bode well for relationships. "The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me. I wasn't able to handle that."

Yeah, nothing too major, he was a hollywood actor, started late, was enamoured by hollywood and that he was a part of it, his famiy never wanted for anything, good provider, but the sacrifice was his presence, he had some regrets but it is what is is. Nothing so terrible that I've read. just the way it was.
I might be combining that article with The LARRY KING INTERVIEW.

 

[friendlysleuther]

<snipped>
the possibility that <modsnip> fumigated the house for pests in day(s) prior to Feb 17th raises a possibility.

It doesn't, because this isn't discussed anywhere & is a wild assumption IMO

Pest control is not limited to setting poison traps for rodents. It includes fumigation of wood boring insects with chemicals and even in some cases tenting the structure and introducing a deadly gas.

..

I had a house tented in Florida and can assure you, that you do not want to go inside the tent. We stayed at the beach for three days. There have been several cases where vacationers have succumbed to pest fumigation at resorts where tenting was not used and areas adjacent to the room were fumigated.

..

If this were true, then they would of been inhaling known toxic gasses & would of had the common sense to get out of the house..

<modsnip: Quoted/referenced post was modsnipped>

 

[friendlysleuther]

<snipped>
When was the last time people in the US suddenly died from inhaling household pesticide fumes (not ingestion and not industrial fumes)? Much less a wealthy actor living in a mansion, who was an animal lover and could afford a safe, reliable pest control company? I really don't think he would have hired a fly by night company. Even then, I highly doubt they could have killed two adults, yet left two dogs alive.
<snipped>

Exactly.. They didn't even hire him.. He was an older man, who was the 'caretaker' of the entire subdivision.

Everyone there probabLy knows him, probably worked this job forever, so on and so forth..

 

[SophieRose]

Assume the beneficiaries in both their wills were his 3 children. If he died alone, the kids may have to wait decades until she passed away. Plus in the meantime after his death, she could have changed her will at any time to exclude his kids. Seems like a plausible motive to me.

What I've seen often in cases with a second spouse is the house goes to the children with the stipulation the spouse stays until his/her death. I know of one now where the daughter does not get along with her stepdad, she has to pay utilities, taxes, insurance maintenance (he calls often) from her mother's estate. She did not know her mother set up her will this way.

 

[TristanP]

That is what made me think maybe she went for Tylenol if she suffered a sudden, severe, headache. And then she passed out and died in the bathroom.

I have seen people mentioning tylenol, but the only meds I saw listed were the thyroid and cardiac meds. Do you know where the tylenol info came from? Thanks!