Hackman 911 call raises questions amid ‘fall’ theory
The emergency call made by a maintenance worker who found the bodies of Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog, contradicts a police report into the tragedy as authorities search for answers.
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A 911 emergency call made by a maintenance worker who discovered the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa has contradicted a police report into the deaths of the Hollywood legend and his wife of 34 years.
It comes as a spokesman for the New Mexico medical investigators office said it could take up to six weeks for any answers to emerge.
Audio of the 911 call from an unnamed caretaker obtained by TMZ revealed how the distressed man frantically pleaded for help while shedding tears.
Shocked and shaken, he was heard saying: “I think we just found two, one deceased person inside the house. I’m the caretaker for the subdivision.”
He can then be heard saying, “Damn, damn, damn” while the dispatcher contacts paramedics.
He told police he saw the bodies through a window, describing them as “a female and a male.”
He said several times he would meet police when they arrive, and the 911 dispatcher asked him: “Are they awake?
“I have no idea,” the man said.
The man was then asked: “Are they breathing?”
“I have no idea, I’m not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked, I can’t go in. But I see, she’s lying down…,” he said.
“Are they moving at all?” the dispatcher asked.
“No, they’re not moving,” the caller said. “Just send somebody out here really quick!”
But the emergency call contradicts the search warrant affidavit, which states a maintenance worker reported the home’s front door was open when he arrived to do routine work.
An explanation for this discrepancy has not yet been shared by police.
The Oscar-winner, his wife and one of their dogs were apparently dead for some time before the maintenance worker discovered their bodies at the couple’s home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, investigators said.
Authorities, however, have not ruled out that the couple and their dog died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Speaking on the Today Show in the US on Friday local time, Santa Fe fire officials said that while their metres didn’t detect anything wrong during searches, that doesn’t mean carbon monoxide poisoning wasn’t the cause — especially since the bodies may have been there for days or even weeks.
Officials said that the couple’s New Mexico home had natural gas and a leak could have dissipated by the time their bodies were discovered.
Police also aren’t entirely ruling out foul play, even with little evidence to support it. They say the toxicology report — which could take up to three months — will be key in determining the causes of their deaths and guiding their investigation.
Hackman’s family strongly believes the star and his wife died of carbon monoxide poisoning with two of his daughters, Elizabeth, and Leslie, confirming to TMZ they believed a gas leak to be the cause.
Leslie Hackman said that despite being 95, her father was in great health.
HACKMAN ‘FALL’ THEORY
Police also believe Hackman may have suddenly collapsed after authorities investigating his tragic death found a number of worrying clues.
Hackman was discovered fully clothed in a room off the kitchen with his cane next to him, according to the warrant.
Police believe the placement of the walking aid on the ground points towards the film star suffering a potential fall.
It is still unclear what may have caused Hackman – who was described by many as remarkably fit and active for a man of his age – to collapse by himself.
NO SIGNS OF EXTERNAL TRAUMA
It was also revealed that Hackman and Arakawa had no signs of external trauma, early autopsy results have shown.
It comes after Arakawa’s body was found mummified and bloated when the two were discovered dead with one of their dogs in their multimillion-dollar New Mexico home, after the couple were not seen for about two weeks, according to police.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office revealed that autopsies showed no visible injuries on either Hackman or Arakawa, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“In the early hours of Thursday, February 27 2025 (local time), Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator,” a statement read.
“Any autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individuals.
“Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals.
“The manner and cause of death has not been determined.
“The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.”
DEATHS ‘SUSPICIOUS ENOUGH’ FOR INVESTIGATION
It comes after police said the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation” after finding the door to the 95-year-old Hollywood icon’s $A5.2 million home was “unsecured and opened”.
An open orange pill bottle and pills were scattered around the room where Arakawa, 63, and one of their German Shepherd dogs was also discovered deceased. But their two other dogs were found alive.
Police noted that it appeared Arakawa had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet,” when she was found on the floor of a bathroom near the home’s entry, according to a police affidavit.
Police also noted that a black space heater was found near Arakawa’s head. A responding officer said “he suspected the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground,” the affidavit said.
The couple’s dog was located about four metres away from Arakawa inside the bathroom’s cupboard, police wrote.
Hackman’s body was located in what police believe was the mud room near a pair of sunglasses.
Despite initial suspicions that the two died from carbon monoxide poisoning, police said there were “no obvious signs of a gas leak.”
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said investigators found no immediate evidence of foul play. Police have not ruled out any possibilities, including double homicide, suicide, accidental death, or natural causes.
Arakawa was found in the bathroom with the bottle of pills scattered nearby. The type of medication has not been revealed, and police have not confirmed whether it contributed to her death. It remains unclear if the pills were linked to an overdose or another medical issue.
Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate areas of the house, with no immediate explanation for why they weren’t together.
The cause of their dog’s death also remains unknown.
Authorities have obtained a search warrant to conduct a more thorough investigation of the property, and the New Mexico gas company has been called in to assess any potential leaks.
Hackman was found on the floor of a wet room near the kitchen, wearing grey sweatpants, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers and had a cane and sunglasses with him.
WORLD MOURNS CINEMATIC GREAT
Their deaths have resulted in outpouring of love from family, Hollywood industry heavyweights and royalty.
The star’s daughters and granddaughter said they were “devastated” by the loss — remembering him as “always just Dad and Grandpa.”
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman said in a statement.
“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.”
Prince William posts tribute
Prince William wrote on X: “So sad to hear the news of the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality W.”
Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred with Hackman in 1992’s Unforgiven, said: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”
Tom Hanks paid tribute to Hackman’s unique style. “There has never been a ‘Gene Hackman type’. There has only been Gene Hackman.”
Wife kept Hackman ‘on strict diet
Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, did her best to prolong the iconic 95-year-old actor’s life by ensuring he stuck to a very strict diet, according to a pal of the late couple.
The couple, who had been married since 1991,
In the years leading up to his death, the two-time Oscar winner — who retired from acting in 2004 — was placed on a precise diet by his wife, Hackman’s friend and former business partner, Doug Lanham, told TMZ.
Lanham said that Arakawa — a classical pianist — closely monitored the “French Connection” star’s eating habits.
The legendary Hollywood actor would allegedly try to “sneak a cheat meal” whenever he hung out with Lanham, with whom he previously co-owned a popular Santa Fe-based restaurant.
The duo joined forces and became co-owners of the Jinja Bar & Bistro in the area before finally selling their stakes in 2018.
Visiting the restaurant was a sure-fire way to run into the “Unforgiven” actor, as he frequented the eatery for many years after stepping away from the spotlight.
Arakawa, 63, made sure that Hackman didn’t stray from healthy options on the menu, Lanham says, as she often had him order meals like “the halibut or rice-paper salmon.”
Recalling their time together, Lanham said Hackman would often pick up the tab for patrons visiting their restaurant.
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