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Gene Hackman Death: 911 Call & Autopsy Findings Released
Authorities are continuing to look into the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.
Two days after the couple and one of their dogs were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home, police shared an update on the investigation, revealing at a press conference that Hackman actually died almost two weeks ago.
Authorities believe he passed away on Feb. 17, which was the day Hackman's pacemaker recorded his last "event," according to Adan Mendoza, the Sheriff of Santa Fe County.
The sheriff said police have not yet determined who died first or how they died.
However, both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide, which Mendoza said appears to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning, though the investigation is ongoing. He also does not believe the couple died by falling, because there was no indication of trauma or injury.
Santa Fe public information officer Denise Womack Avila shared, in a Feb. 27 statement to NBC News, that authorities were called to the couple’s residence around 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 26 after a neighbor requested a welfare check. After identifying Hackman—who shares kids Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 63, and Leslie, 58, with ex-wife Faye Maltese—and Arakawa's bodies the next day, it was later confirmed that the couple had been dead for “at least a day.”
Indeed, an affidavit obtained by NBC News stated that Arakawa's body—which was found in the home’s bathroom next to a space heater and an open bottle of pills—was already showing visual indications of decomposition including “mummified” body parts.
"The female decedant showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face," the affidavit stated, "and mumification in both hands and feet."
Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
“I think I’m very anxious to find out what happened and I just don’t know how long they had been deceased,” Leslie told Us Weekly Feb. 27. “[The authorities] don’t know yet either.”
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff, the circumstances have made it “very difficult to put a timeline together, even with the help of the Office of the Medical Investigator.”
"There was no indication that anybody was moving about the house or doing anything different," he told Savannah Guthrie on Today Feb. 28, adding that the pair could have been dead for up to a couple of weeks before their discovery. "So it's very hard to determine if they both passed at the time or how close they passed together."
While more answers are being uncovered, keep reading to see how The French Connection star’s former colleagues and friend—including Francis Ford Coppola, Antonio Banderas, George Takei and Edgar Wright—paid tribute to the late film icon.
Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
“I think I’m very anxious to find out what happened and I just don’t know how long they had been deceased,” Leslie told Us Weekly Feb. 27. “[The authorities] don’t know yet either.”
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff, the circumstances have made it “very difficult to put a timeline together, even with the help of the Office of the Medical Investigator.”
"There was no indication that anybody was moving about the house or doing anything different," he told Savannah Guthrie on Today Feb. 28, adding that the pair could have been dead for up to a couple of weeks before their discovery. "So it's very hard to determine if they both passed at the time or how close they passed together."
While more answers are being uncovered, keep reading to see how The French Connection star’s former colleagues and friend—including Francis Ford Coppola, Antonio Banderas, George Takei and Edgar Wright—paid tribute to the late film icon.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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Prince William & Kate Middleton
"So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy," the couple wrote on their joint X account. "Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality."
LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Royal Tennanbaums actress shared a photo of herself, Luke Wilson and Gene on the set of the Wes Anderson film alongside a broken heart emoji in a Feb. 27 Instagram post.
Luca Carlino/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Tom Hanks
The Cast Away star also kept his tribute short and sweet, writing in a Feb. 27 Instagram post alongside an old photo of the star, “There has never been a ‘Gene Hackman Type.’ There has only been Gene Hackman.”
Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images
Elizabeth Hackman, Leslie Hackman & Annie Hackman
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," the actor's daughters—whom he shares with ex Faye Maltese—and grandaughter wrote in a statement
shared with E! News. "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."
ABC
Francis Ford Coppola
The Megalopolis director, who directed Gene in The Conversation, shared a touching tribute shortly after news of Gene’s death broke.
“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration,” the director wrote on Instagram Feb. 27, alongside a photo of the pair. “Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Viola Davis
The How To Get Away With Murder actress wrote a touching post directed at the actor himself.
“Loved you in everything!” Viola wrote in a Feb. 27 Instagram post. “The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.”
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
Nathan Lane
“Getting to watch him up close it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest,” The Birdcage star told USA Today in a statement. "You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger. He was as brilliant in comedy as he was in drama and thankfully his film legacy will live on forever.”
He added, “It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Hank Azaria
Comedian Hank Azaria, who also starred in The Birdcage alongside Gene, wrote a touching tribute.
“It was an honor and an education working with Gene Hackman,” he wrote on X, adding a few kind words from the film’s director, “Mike Nichols said of his genius character acting: ‘He always brought just enough of a different part of the real gene to each role he played.’ Sending all my love to his family & friends.”
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Pedro Pascal
The Last of Us star proved Gene’s continued influence on Hollywood, sharing an old photo of the star on his Instagram Story, writing, “My actual favorite.”
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
Michael Rosenbaum
The Smallville actor, who shared the part of Lex Luthor with the Superman star, wrote to Instagram, “To my favorite Lex Luthor and one of the all time greatest actors ever! RIP.”
Lawrence JC Baron
Antonio Banderas
The Mask of Zorro star wrote in a post on X, “A very sad day for the cinema’s family. Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have passed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.”
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for WIRED
John Simm
“Sad news today,” the Collateral star wrote in a tribute on Instagram. “You’d be hard pressed to name a better screen actor than this man. Because there isn’t one. Perfection in every single role he played, a huge inspiration for me and for generations of actors. And he could do it all. He made the craft look effortless. A true artist.”
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
George Takei
The Star Trek alum commemorated his old peer with a heartfelt note to X.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” George wrote. “He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his world will live on forever.”
Jim Spellman/WireImage
Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright—who directed Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho—shared a tribute to the late actor on X, writing, “The greatest…”
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Cary Elwes
“We have lost a true legend,” the Princess Bride star wrote in a Feb. 27 Instagram post. “The magnificent Gene Hackman has passed away. A man whose breadth of talent was immeasurable. Growing up on his movies was an absolute thrill for me."
He continued to emphasize the impact of Gene's craft.
"To observe his remarkable facility and humanity in every role was something to behold," he added. "Whatever film he was in, he made it better. A force of nature like no other and as such there will never be another like him. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans all over the world. Rest in absolute power, Gene.”
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