Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were recently found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025. This tragic event unfolded against a backdrop of concern and mystery, as Betsy had reportedly expressed fears about a stalker prior to their deaths.
Jeffrey S. Mullen, a family spokesperson, confirmed that both Hackman, who was 95, and Arakawa, 65, were discovered in their residence along with one of their dogs. Initial investigations clarified that Gene Hackman succumbed to heart disease, aggravated by severe Alzheimer's disease, while Betsy Arakawa is believed to have passed away a week earlier, on February 19, due to complications from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Reports indicate that Betsy had confided in her hairdresser, Christopher, about feeling stalked by a man who allegedly followed them on multiple occasions. According to Christopher, Betsy described an incident where the couple was dining in White Rock, approximately 30 minutes from Santa Fe. The hairdresser recounted, “She mentioned to me that there was a man that had parked outside of their gate and followed them. On two separate occasions.”
During their visit to White Rock, the unidentified man tracked them and approached Hackman with a folder of photos, asking the actor for his signature. Betsy felt uneasy about the encounter and told Christopher, “I told him he needed to have more respect.” Christopher interpreted this behavior as alarming, remarking, “That’s so weird because Santa Fe's not a place of paparazzi and stuff.”
In another similar incident, the same man trailed the couple to a different location, this time attempting to give them a bottle of wine, which they declined. Betsy reportedly told Christopher that the situation was concerning due to the stalker’s knowledge of their vehicle and whereabouts.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding their deaths, bodycam footage released by Fox News shows deputies responding to a call from two workers who discovered Betsy and Hackman in their home. The workers had seen someone lying on the floor and reported it to authorities. Upon investigation, deputies found no signs of forced entry into the home nor evidence of suspicious circumstances, although they did consider the possibility of a gas or carbon monoxide leak.
One of the workers told authorities, “Something’s not right,” reflecting the strange atmosphere surrounding the couple’s unexpected passing. Investigators later confirmed that there were no gas leaks or other factors that could have contributed negatively to their health at the time.
In light of these unsettling revelations, a week-long investigation was undertaken by local authorities, with Hackman’s family subsequently filing to block the release of the couple’s autopsy and investigation results, stating such measures were atypical. According to a source familiar with the proceedings, “New Mexico doesn’t have an exemption for autopsy photos, and normally it’s not a concern, but when it comes to celebrity deaths, a lot of people will request them.”
A New Mexico judge had already ruled that photos showing the mummified bodies of the couple would remain concealed from public view after their family requested a restraining order on their release. In their legal argument, the family claimed the 14th Amendment allowed them the right to grieve privately without the harassment of public disclosure following tragic events.
The couple’s untimely deaths and the circumstances surrounding them have sent ripples through the entertainment community. Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor highly celebrated for his contributions to film, and Betsy, a classically trained pianist, were both beloved figures in their realms. Their story leaves many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the perceived stalking incident that Betsy felt occurred in the months prior to their deaths.
The unsettling details concerning the stalker and the couple's deaths have sparked widespread media interest, with fans and fellow actors expressing their condolences and shock. As investigations continue, many hope for clarity in their passing and seek to honor the legacy of two influential artists whose lives ended in such an unexpected manner.
