Investigation Unveils Tragic Details Surrounding Gene Hackman and Betsy’s Final Days

The investigation into the deaths of renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, has revealed alarming information regarding their final days. Recent reports indicate that Betsy had searched for information about flu-like symptoms and COVID-19 prior to her untimely death.

Authorities from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department have made public footage from inside the couple’s home, where the bodies were discovered in February. The release of this footage follows a judicial decree from the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe County.

In a troubling development, investigators uncovered evidence that Betsy was actively researching COVID-related symptoms. On February 11, she communicated with her massage therapist via email, detailing a troubling situation involving Gene, who apparently took a COVID test after exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

Betsy’s Worrying Search History

According to investigation documents, Betsy had looked up information on COVID at least four times leading up to her seeking medical assistance at the Cloudberry Health center in Santa Fe. Between February 8 and 9, detectives noted multiple online searches from Betsy related to flu and COVID symptoms.

On February 10, Betsy sought information about symptoms including nosebleeds associated with flu and COVID. Shortly thereafter, she inquired whether COVID could lead to dizziness, highlighting her growing concern over her husband’s health.

Email Exchange Raises Concerns

Betsy made significant inquiries via email on February 11. She wrote to her massage therapist, expressing concerns about Gene’s symptoms and sharing details about his negative COVID test. Despite his results, she suggested it would be sensible to postpone her appointment until the end of the month out of caution.

Reflections from a Longtime Friend

Betsy’s friend, Katia Van Horn, revealed that she had not seen Gene for over a year. She shared insights about Gene’s past surgery and recalled a conversation they had about a recent car accident Betsy experienced, where she hit a median and mentioned needing repairs.

Betsy’s search history culminated in her last two inquiries on February 12, where she wanted to know the duration of effects from hyperbaric oxygen therapy and searched for Cloudberry Health’s information in Santa Fe.

Authorities Respond to the Tragedy

During the release of these records, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza expressed his condolences to the Hackman family while emphasizing the department’s commitment to transparency and respect for the grieving family. “Our responsibility to taxpayers requires us to find compassionate and workable solutions, which respect public transparency while honoring a family in mourning,” Mendoza stated.

The sad discovery of both Gene and Betsy occurred on February 26, following a period of concern from family members and friends. They had shared over three decades of marriage, a longstanding relationship that many admired.

Sheriff’s Office Finds the Scene Disturbing

Footage from body cameras worn by the sheriff’s deputies captured heartbreaking scenes as investigators entered the home. Tragically, one of the couple’s dogs was found standing guard near Betsy’s body. The search initially focused on locating Gene, who wasn’t discovered until later, causing profound distress among the responders.

Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya reported that responders quickly found Betsy in a bathroom upon entering the home, but Gene had not been located for nearly 30 minutes. The dog’s persistent behavior led authorities to realize that it was trying to guide them.

The Impact on Their Pets

In the wake of the couple’s deaths, their dogs played a vital role in alerting officials. While two dogs roamed freely, a third sadly perished, likely due to dehydration and lack of food. The report indicates that Zinna was found unresponsive in a crate, a tragic testament to the circumstances in the household.

Medical Findings and Timeline of Events

Betsy passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, as confirmed by New Mexico health officials. Meanwhile, Gene’s cause of death was determined to be hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which had Alzheimer’s disease as a contributing factor.

Authorities estimated that Gene survived for about a week following Betsy’s passing before he too succumbed to his health issues, with the last activity recorded on his pacemaker indicating February 18 as his last day alive. It is haunting to think that Gene remained undiscovered for an extended timeline, amplifying the tragedy of the situation.

A Troubling Investigation Underway

The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department initially reported the deaths as suspicious enough to warrant an extensive investigation. As evidence continues to unfold, the circumstances surrounding this tragically entwined fate of Gene and Betsy Hackman serve as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of health crises and their impact on loved ones.

As the investigation progresses, the Hackman family and the community mourn the loss of a beloved couple whose remarkable lives intertwined in art and devotion to one another. Their legacy will undoubtedly endure as the story continues to resonate through those who admired them.