Leslie Hackman Speaks Out on Father Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Tragic Passing
Leslie Hackman, daughter of legendary actor Gene Hackman, has broken her silence following the sudden and mysterious deaths of her father and stepmother, Betsy Arakawa.
The couple was discovered deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday after a neighbor, noticing signs of decomposition, alerted authorities. Gene, 95, and Betsy, 64, were found in separate rooms, with one of their dogs also found dead. Officials have yet to determine the exact cause of death, though Leslie, 58, suggested a possible carbon monoxide leak.
In an interview with DailyMail, Leslie shared that the family is still in shock, emphasizing that her father had been in good health despite his age. “He remained active, regularly practicing Pilates and yoga,” she said. Although their recent communication had been infrequent due to her living in California, nothing seemed unusual before their passing.
Leslie and her sister, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, are awaiting further updates from authorities as investigations continue. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office reported that the couple’s bodies had gone unnoticed for at least a day before being discovered.
Gene’s nephew, Tim Hackman, also spoke about the loss, saying Leslie informed him of the tragic news. He mentioned that Gene had been doing relatively well and credited Betsy for contributing to his longevity. “I truly believe she played a significant role in his well-being,” Tim noted.
Gene Hackman, who stepped away from acting in 2004, had been living a private life in New Mexico with Betsy, his wife of over 30 years.
