Gene Hackman’s quiet impact: a legacy beyond the screen
In Santa Fe, Gene Hackman’s lesser known legacy of humility, artistry and an undeniable fingerprint on his community.
The investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa continued Thursday, over a week after their bodies were discovered at a New Mexico estate shared by the couple.
Officials at the Santa Fe sheriff’s department declined to share an update Wednesday but did announce a joint press conference with the state’s medical investigator and department of health offices, set to take place Friday.
Hackman and Arakawa were discovered dead on Feb. 26, alongside one of their dogs. As Hollywood poured out with messages of mourning for the legendary actor, troubling details began to emerge surrounding his death.
Data from Hackman’s pacemaker indicated that he may have died more than a week before he was found, the Sheriff’s Office reported, while a search warrant revealed Arakawa was found in an open bathroom near a space heater, with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the nearby countertop.
Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya told Fox News digital Wednesday that it is likely the couple died within a close timeframe. “Both bodies are in a similar manner, that it could be a similar timeframe,” he said.
The sheriff’s department also originally misidentified the dog found deceased alongside the couple. On Monday, USA TODAY confirmed that while a previous report had stated a German shepherd had been found, that dog was in fact safe while one of the other pair’s canines − a 12-year-old reddish Australian Kelpie named Zinna − was the pet that had been found dead.
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Gene Hackman nephew speaks out
As authorities have struggled to cobble together a timeline, Hackman’s family is trying to stay away from conjecture.
“We’re waiting on toxicology. That will tell us everything,” the actor’s nephew, Tim Hackman, told Us Weekly Tuesday. “It’s hard to theorize. There are lots of theories out there and I don’t want to speculate. It’s easy to speculate negative theories.”
“The family wants to keep it positive for now and when we know the truth we will deal with it.”
In a statement to USA TODAY last week, Hackman’s daughters – Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman – and granddaughter Annie said they were “devastated by the loss.”
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they said. “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.”
Gene Hackman’s quiet life in Santa Fe
In the final years of his life, Hackman retreated alongside Arakawa to a quiet life in Santa Fe. Joining a rich community of artists, the Oscar-winning talent honed his painting and writing skills and wove himself into the fabric of the community.
He and Arakawa, an accomplished pianist, settled into a home just a few miles north of the city, rebuilt from the studs to blend Santa Fe’s classic styles with a twist of their own artistic flare.
As fans and family alike await more details, authorities have already ruled out a gas leak, and noted that while the circumstances do appear “suspicious,” there is “no foul play” suspected at this time.
Contributing: USA TODAY Entertainment staff
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