Gene Hackman’s friends have shared a heartbreaking update about the actor’s health shortly before he and his wife, as well as their dog, were found dead in their home.
The Oscar-winning actor, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, last week. The body of their pet dog was also discovered at the property, per Sky News.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said in a statement at the time: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. This is an active investigation; however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”
Now, friends of the star have spoken out about Hackman’s health in the lead-up to the tragedy, revealing it had been “slipping” in recent months.
Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, as well as their son Aaron, who had been friends with Hackman and his wife for many years, opened up about their heartbreaking deaths.
Daniel told People that Hackman had been “essentially kind of homebound” in “recent times”.
Barbara added that the star had “quit riding his bike through the neighborhood” around a year ago, claiming that his health had been “really slipping” in the “last couple of months.”
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Aaron added: “Betsy tried to keep him kind of active and engaged,” revealing that Hackman did puzzles and yoga via Zoom every day, adding: “She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible.”
The family said Arakawa appeared to be in great health and was “so fit” before her death.
Their claims oppose those of Hackman’s daughter, Leslie Anne, who told TMZ that her father had been “in very good physical condition”in the months leading up to his death.
She explained: “He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.”
Aaron added that the French Connection star and Arakawa – who’d been married since 1991 – were “one of the tightest couples I’ve seen.”
He explained: “They seemed like real life partners, really, really close to each other, and they were both incredibly kind. And they were reserved, but they were real, [and] a lot of fun.”
According to police reports, the couple were found in different rooms of their New Mexico home and it is believed they had been dead for several days.
Preliminary autopsies showed “no external trauma” on either of their bodies, and it was initially believed they may have passed from carbon monoxide poisoning, however, tests found no evidence of a toxic leak in their home.
Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza said there were no signs of foul play and the official autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Hackman and Arakawa at this devastating time.
