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

[Cherwell]

Did he actually say "no visible injuries" or might he have said something more carefully worded, like "no obvious injuries that caused death."

From memory, I think the sheriff specified that there were no visible injuries that would have been caused by the fall.

 

[Sunshynn]

TYVM (as always) @MassGuy for the news w link.
Per release, sheriff will be joined by officials from NM Ofc of Med. Examiner and
NM Dept of Health re the "death investigation."

If there was an arrest expected re the deaths, seems someone from Prosecutor's office would be there. So why the state DoH?

I agree that based on the wording of the press release, at this time, it doesn't seem like they are suspecting foul play.
MOO.

Due to the announced presence of the Department of Health at the press conference, I wonder if its something health wise?

Unlikely, but I was wondering about Legionnaires Disease.

Can You Get Legionnaires’ Disease from a Shower?

It can present as severe flu at first and, in older individuals, can be fatal within days. Although most outbreaks happen at hotels and nursing homes, in rare cases you can catch it at home.
Didn't the Hackman's have two homes (or am I making this up?) - if they were regularly staying in one home and then switched to staying at the other then maybe the shower had stagnant water from not being used regularly?

From the above referenced article:
"..Certain scenarios or processes involving water may allow the bacteria to grow and multiply throughout a plumbing system. For example, a shower that is not often used will be more likely to contain stagnant water, perhaps in the shower head and perhaps in the pipework that leads to it. This lack of use may also allow sludge and sediment to form in the pipework. Legionella bacteria needs a source of nutrients to develop and spread, and this sludge is perfect for this.."

However, I acknowledge that if Gene and Betsy were so stricken with the disease that it caused one or both of their deaths that they probably wouldn't be up and walking around and would be more likely to have been found deceased in bed. MOO.

 

[PaulaDC]

Did anyone post this? If so apologies.

Gene Hackman Death: Gas Company Finds Minor Leak But ‘No Significant Findings’

The New Mexico Gas Company found 'no significant findings' in its inspection of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's home.

variety.com

It does say small gas leaks. Nothing major, but who knows what a small leak can do.

 

[Cherwell]

It does say small gas leaks. Nothing major, but who knows what a small leak can do.

The gas company would know.
"Workers did find a “minuscule” gas leak at one of the stove burners, registering 0.33% gas in the air, which is not enough to be fatal."
From the link in post 1005.

 

[priyaya]

Wondering if the Department of Health has something to do with basic awareness of getting screening or something like self care for care givers?
To me the real mystery in all of this is how Becky was incapacitated so quickly
And the real shame is that she may have been overlooking her own health to care for others

It is interesting the Health Department of New Mexico did Just put out awareness for trip and fall hazards
on Feb 21st right around when Genes pacemaker stopped

Winter is a good time to think about falls

www.nmhealth.org

actually really helpful tips on their webpage, but also shows how much you have to consider that many overlook as they age and lose mobility control

Older Adult Falls

www.nmhealth.org

 

[al66pine]

<modsnip - no link>

Regardless, appears SFFD is not joining media conf. on Fri. Mar 7. Per sheriff's announcement,
just sheriff, Ofc of Med Examiner & NM Dept of Health.


Not exactly newsworthy imo, but FYI.
DailyMail Updated: 08:50 EST, 6 March 2025
GH & BA "....likely died at around the same time, according to the Santa Fe fire chief" Brian Moya.

^ came from other news outlet, "Published March 5, 2025 8:16pm EST" Moya said,
"Just because both bodies were in similar ways where we, as experts, sad to say that we know a lot about how people die and how long people are dead for – both bodies are in a similar manner that it could be a similar timeframe."
and
"According to Moya, the Santa Fe Fire Department was last involved with the investigation on Thursday, Feb. 27,..."

 

[tomstrees]

Gene and Betsy were quite private people; I doubt they ever called 911, they no doubt believed they could handle whatever needs they had--self-reliant and self-sufficient mind set. In one of the news reports out and about some years ago a homeless man heckled them vexing them with racial profanity, etc.. Gene slapped the guy to hopefully shake him out of his bad behavior. The police were called. The charges of assault the homeless man made were dismissed as self-defense.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Wondering if the Department of Health has something to do with basic awareness of getting screening or something like self care for care givers?
To me the real mystery in all of this is how Becky was incapacitated so quickly
And the real shame is that she may have been overlooking her own health to care for others

It is interesting the Health Department of New Mexico did Just put out awareness for trip and fall hazards
on Feb 21st right around when Genes pacemaker stopped

Winter is a good time to think about falls

www.nmhealth.org

actually really helpful tips on their webpage, but also shows how much you have to consider that many overlook as they age and lose mobility control

Older Adult Falls

www.nmhealth.org

IMO:
From all the comments by their friends it appears that since Covid hit BA kept HG isolated in their home.
That's quite a few years and we don't know if during those years GH or BA were under the care of a doctor, even just yearly check-ups.
A hermit existence can be very unhealthy and leading to neglecting oneself and their surroundings.
All their friends spin their relationship as 2 love birds hiding away in their love nest as mama bird protects papa bird when the reality could be the complete opposite.
Social isolation can cause havoc/deteriorating one's mind and habits.

 

[priyaya]

Gene and Betsy were quite private people; I doubt they ever called 911, they no doubt believed they could handle whatever needs they had--self-reliant and self-sufficient mind set. In one of the news reports out and about some years ago a homeless man heckled them vexing them with racial profanity, etc.. Gene slapped the guy to hopefully shake him out of his bad behavior. The police were called. The charges of assault the homeless man made were dismissed as self-defense.

For reference

Police: Hackman knew homeless man he slapped in NM

SANTA FE, N.M. - Actor Gene Hackman had given clothes, money and rides to a homeless man whom he slapped this week after the man became aggressive toward the Oscar-winning actor and his wife, accordi…

www.jacksonville.com

 

[NuttMegg]

Gene and Betsy were quite private people; I doubt they ever called 911, they no doubt believed they could handle whatever needs they had--self-reliant and self-sufficient mind set. In one of the news reports out and about some years ago a homeless man heckled them vexing them with racial profanity, etc.. Gene slapped the guy to hopefully shake him out of his bad behavior. The police were called. The charges of assault the homeless man made were dismissed as self-defense.

I can surely understand the yearning for privacy after a couple of decades in Hollywood. Santa Fe is about as far as one can get from NYC and Hollywood at the same time, staying within the states. Another of my favorite actors, RiP, Brian Dennehy lived there for awhile. Others include Shirley MacClaine. Ali McGraw. And the Game of Thrones author. Sam Shepard, Willa Cather, Val Kilmer. Some listed here.

For Gene Hackman, Santa Fe was a refuge from the limelight

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa made Santa Fe their home decades ago.

apnews.com

 

[CityKid]

IMO:
From all the comments by their friends it appears that since Covid hit BA kept HG isolated in their home.
That's quite a few years and we don't know if during those years GH or BA were under the care of a doctor, even just yearly check-ups.
A hermit existence can be very unhealthy and leading to neglecting oneself and their surroundings.
All their friends spin their relationship as 2 love birds hiding away in their love nest as mama bird protects papa bird when the reality could be the complete opposite.
Social isolation can cause havoc/deteriorating one's mind and habits.

Is there any evidence that Betsy forced Gene into isolation?

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Wondering if the Department of Health has something to do with basic awareness of getting screening or something like self care for care givers?
To me the real mystery in all of this is how Becky was incapacitated so quickly
And the real shame is that she may have been overlooking her own health to care for others

It is interesting the Health Department of New Mexico did Just put out awareness for trip and fall hazards
on Feb 21st right around when Genes pacemaker stopped

Winter is a good time to think about falls

www.nmhealth.org

actually really helpful tips on their webpage, but also shows how much you have to consider that many overlook as they age and lose mobility control

Older Adult Falls

www.nmhealth.org

Santa Fe has an incredibly large elderly population. Many many retired people. And elderly dangerous drivers. Anything that pinpoints this population is helpful imo.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Has it been confirmed that the worker was at the Hackman's residence for pest control?
If so was it a routine visit or was there a current pest issue and the couple reached out to maintenance?

RLB and/or JK said they last had contact with the couple 2 weeks ago but by contact it wasn't stated if in person or via text/email and was the contact with just BA who is said to have handled the texts/emails/phone calls?

 

[Izzylizzy]

Is there any evidence that Betsy forced Gene into isolation?

Whether she did or didn't the point is GH was isolated for quite a few years.

 

[NuttMegg]

IMO:
From all the comments by their friends it appears that since Covid hit BA kept HG isolated in their home.
That's quite a few years and we don't know if during those years GH or BA were under the care of a doctor, even just yearly check-ups.
A hermit existence can be very unhealthy and leading to neglecting oneself and their surroundings.
All their friends spin their relationship as 2 love birds hiding away in their love nest as mama bird protects papa bird when the reality could be the complete opposite.
Social isolation can cause havoc/deteriorating one's mind and habits.

Only if you let it. Some modern-day hermits thrive through their online contact, some online friends becoming as close and wonderful as in person contacts.

I don't believe all the social advice to stay off the internet Seek out real people. Get bored at parties when all you really want to do is explore the bookshelf.

Sure if tictoc vids are stared at all day. But the internet is a bonanza for ppl with hobbies and common interests. Isolation can be calming and stress avoiding. Even without digital access. As I said earlier, people who prefer isolation factor in the pros & cons. One of which could be dying alone.

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I’ve wondered if the free-roaming dogs barked or howled, especially at night. Even in this secluded property barking dogs would be heard by neighbors, and if it had been going on for some time, you can imagine calls to the community maintenance staff to complain. Just one idea.

 

[NuttMegg]

Is there any evidence that Betsy forced Gene into isolation?

Not at all that has been posted here. Maybe it was vice versa. Maybe it didn't happen at all. Ie mutual decision.

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

This is purely personal but almost every conversation I’ve had with Santa Fe friends and neighbors since this happened has been on two topics: who would find you and how long would it take if something happened and who have you designated to take your pets at your death? In our fractured, lonely, and increasingly isolated society these are important considerations for us all. One single friend texts with another friend daily for this purpose. Two friends have asked us to take in their dogs if anything happens. Even as a couple the Hackmans were endangered— and this kind of isolation hurts many like those who found the bodies and friends. A lesson for us all to take responsibility and plan what we can.

 

[priyaya]

I’ve wondered if the free-roaming dogs barked or howled, especially at night. Even in this secluded property barking dogs would be heard by neighbors, and if it had been going on for some time, you can imagine calls to the community maintenance staff to complain. Just one idea.

I thought this initially but the property is very isolated and the back yard only goes out to open mountains.
google maps

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Not at all that has been posted here. Maybe it was vice versa. Maybe it didn't happen at all. Ie mutual decision.

I’ve heard many use the lobster in hot water theory. What starts is often understandable and benign, but the water heats slowly until it’s too late.