The shocking triple death at the home of late actor is under intense police scrutiny, with detectives delving into his phone records and final movements.
The 95-year-old legend was discovered deceased on February 27 alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and one of their dogs in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, residence.
Authorities are piecing together the couple’s last known activities in an effort to solve the enigmatic circumstances surrounding their passing. On the UK chat show, Good Morning Britain, correspondent Noel Phillips reported: “Detectives are now trying to build a timeline of the couple’s final movements, when were they last seen in public.
“CCTV in this area will also be checked as well as their phone records to understand who they may have last spoken to before they died. Now what doesn’t help is the fact that they lived such a private life so as you can imagine, a lot of people here in this community are still grappling with the news.”
Gene Hackman alongside his wife and two of their dogs (Image: GETTY)
Following an autopsy report of the couple, it was revealed that there were ‘no signs’ of trauma. Betsy was discovered on their bathroom floor with a bottle of prescription pills scattered across a countertop.
At this time, it’s uncertain what the pills were and whether they had been prescribed to Betsy or Gene. Gene was found in a mud room off their kitchen.
Betsy, aged 65, was found in a state of decomposition, with bloating to her face and mummification on her hands and feet. Gene was found in a similar state.
An autopsy has since ruled out any external trauma to both the actor and his late wife. The two-time Oscar-winning actor led a private life with his wife Betsy before their deaths.
Gene Hackman and his wife kept a low-profile in recent years (Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Gene was one of the greatest talents to ever grace the silver screen, renowned for his powerful performances in iconic films like The French Connection and Unforgiven.
The award-winning actor last appeared in a film in 2004 and confirmed his retirement in 2008.
After more than forty years of captivating audiences, Gene chose to exit the limelight for a quieter existence. He’s since embraced a reclusive lifestyle in Santa Fe, a stark contrast to the glitz of he once knew.
Despite his acclaimed talent and the success of his roles, Gene’s departure from acting was surprising. He has expressed a disinterest in the trappings of fame, preferring the tranquility of his new life.
“I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press,” Gene explained about his decision.
“It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen. I think of myself, and feel like I’m quite young, and then I look at this old man with the baggy chins and the tired eyes and the receding hairline and all that.”
Gene has largely stayed out of the public eye, but he was last seen grabbing an apple pie and coffee at a 7-Eleven in New Mexico in March of the previous year.
This rare sighting occurred shortly after he and his wife Betsy, whom he married in 1991, were seen together publicly for the first time in twenty years, underscoring his preference for privacy.