The heartbreaking news of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa being found dead in their Santa Fe home has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. However, the couple's tragic end also highlights a troubling pattern of silence within their family, particularly from Arakawa’s youngest daughter. Reports indicate that Arakawa had not been in contact with her mother, Yoshie Feaster, who is battling dementia, for several months.
According to Keiko, the housekeeper for Yoshie Feaster, the absence of regular phone calls from Arakawa sparked concern. Feaster, who resides in Hawaii, typically received monthly updates from her daughter but hadn’t heard from her since October. "Betsy hadn’t called her mother in months. She usually called every one or two months. Last time she called was October. We were thinking, what happened?” Keiko stated in an interview with the Daily Mail.
Keiko further revealed that authorities notified Feaster of her daughter and son-in-law's tragic deaths on a Wednesday. Given Feaster’s condition, she has unfortunately forgotten the devastating news. “She talked to a New Mexico policeman the other day. But she has dementia so she forgot already. I feel so sorry for her,” Keiko expressed, emphasizing the emotional turmoil the family is experiencing.
On February 26, maintenance workers discovered the bodies of Hackman, aged 95, and Arakawa, 65, along with their deceased German Shepherd dog. Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza announced that Hackman had likely died at least nine days prior to their discovery. Notably, Hackman's pacemaker recorded its last event on February 17, which is believed to be the date of his death. "According to the pathologist, I think it’s a good assumption that was his last day of life,” Mendoza clarified during a press conference.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning and displayed no signs of external trauma. The causes of death remain undetermined, pending further tests.
Following the tragic news, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, along with his granddaughter, Annie, released a heartfelt statement. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. 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,” they expressed.
Leslie also disclosed that she hadn’t spoken to her father in months, despite earlier claims that he was in good health. This adds another layer of complexity to a family dynamic already steeped in silence.
Describing the scene, police noted that the couple’s home appeared “unsecured and opened,” with no evidence of forced entry or robbery. Officers discovered an open orange prescription pill bottle alongside pills scattered around the area where Arakawa was found, suggesting a chaotic environment. Both Hackman and Arakawa had “obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent,” according to the police affidavit.
Law enforcement seized multiple items from the residence, including cellphones, medications, and a planner for 2025. These items may assist in piecing together a timeline of events leading up to the couple's deaths. While authorities do not suspect foul play, they described the circumstances as “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” which is ongoing.
Amidst the tragedy, friends remember Hackman and Arakawa's relationship fondly. Film producer Matthew Gross remarked, “They had a true love affair … Capital L love. They were very happy together, and we are all incredibly, incredibly shocked by this.” This sentiment reflects the deep bond the couple shared, contrasting sharply with the silence that enveloped their family in the months leading to their untimely demise.
