Gene Hackman’s neighbors admit they barely saw him
Mystery Deepens Around Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths as Neighbors Speak Out
Nearly a week after the heartbreaking discovery of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, one of their neighbors has shared insight into how rarely he saw the legendary actor. The unexpected deaths of the Hollywood icon and his wife have left many questions unanswered as authorities continue their investigation.
On February 26, news emerged that Hackman and Arakawa had been found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. The entertainment world was stunned by the loss of the two-time Academy Award winner, whose career spanned decades. While initial reports suggested no signs of foul play, investigators later found enough unusual details to warrant further examination.
Authorities revealed that Hackman, 95, was discovered in the mudroom of his home, in a state of partial mummification, while Arakawa was found in a bathroom beside a bottle of pills. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza later stated that the presence of the pills was a key piece of evidence in the ongoing case.
Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, expressed confusion over what could have caused their deaths. One possibility the family considered was carbon monoxide poisoning, known for being undetectable without proper detection systems.
“The house was built in 2000, so it’s fairly modern,” Elizabeth said in an interview with TMZ. “But we don’t know if there were any gas leaks or if there had been any service calls related to that.”
However, after thorough inspections by the Santa Fe City Fire Department and the New Mexico Gas Company, no evidence of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning was found, deepening the mystery.
Sheriff Mendoza also noted a significant detail—Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its final heartbeat on February 17. Based on this information, officials believe he likely passed away on that date, meaning his body remained undiscovered for nine days.
As the investigation unfolds, Hackman’s neighbors have begun sharing their observations, highlighting how private the couple was in their final years. Residing in a gated community about five miles from Santa Fe, they maintained a low profile.
James Everett, a part-time resident who lived next door to them for five years, revealed that their paths never crossed.
“They had their own gate, and we had ours. We just never saw each other,” Everett told The New York Times.
Another neighbor, Bud Hamilton, who lived next to Hackman’s property for about 20 years, recalled only having a single meal with Hackman and Arakawa during that entire time.
Longtime area resident Harvey Chalker also shared his brief interaction with the actor, emphasizing Hackman’s desire for privacy.
“He didn’t want to be disturbed, and I completely understand that,” Chalker said.
Hackman, who had largely stepped away from Hollywood in his later years, focused on writing and personal interests rather than public appearances. His performances in classics such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums ensured his legacy as one of the greatest actors of all time.
With autopsy and toxicology reports still pending, the investigation remains open. While no evidence of forced entry or struggle has been found, authorities are waiting on the medical examiner’s findings, expected in the coming weeks, to shed light on what happened.
For now, fans, friends, and loved ones continue to grieve the loss of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, reflecting on the life they shared and the incredible impact Hackman left on the film industry.