LEGENDARY actor Gene Hackman made haunting comments saying he "feared" death before he passed away in his New Mexico home aged 95. Cops in Santa Fe revealed the star was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their plush $3.8 million home on Wednesday.
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Cops have said there are no signs of foul play, per the Santa Fe New Mexican. "All I can say is that we're in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant," Adan Mendoza, the Santa Fe County sheriff said. Police have not revealed a cause of death but shared extra details about the tragic discovery.
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“On February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased," a police statement said.
Hackman's poignant comments on fearing death have now resurfaced. In a 2009 interview, the two-time Oscars winner said: "I have the normal fear of passing away. "You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. "I try to take care of myself.".
The star also revealed that he wanted his wife and family to be taken care of once he was gone. "I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears," he added. Hackman was last seen publically with Betsy in March 2024 at a restaurant in Santa Fe.
He appeared frail as he used a cane and grabbed onto his wife's arm for support when walking. Hackman was married twice, tying the knot with Faye Maltese in 1956. The couple had three children - one son and two daughters. They were married for three decades, divorcing in 1986.
He and classical pianist Betsy had been married since 1991. Hackman, born in California in 1930, revealed his dad left the family home when he was 13. He revealed his dad waved at him when he was playing outside. "It was a real adios," he told Vanity Fair in 2004.
"It was so precise. "Maybe that’s why I became an actor. Gene Hackman's last public appearance came when he was seen leaving a New Mexico restaurant. Hackman was spotted holding onto Betsy's arm while he used a cane on March 28, 2024, during a rare public appearance.
The couple were on a dinner date in Santa Fe, New Mexico, heading into Pappadeaux's restaurant. The Hollywood legend had celebrated his 94th birthday just weeks before these pictures were taken. Earlier in the day, the couple were also seen visiting a local Speedway store, where Gene bought a cup of coffee and an apple pie.
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