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Police 'keeping everything on the table' in deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa

Police reportedly believe the circumstances are ‘suspicious’ and warrant a ‘thorough search and investigation’.

LAST UPDATE | 27 Feb

TWO TIME OSCAR-WINNING actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead yesterday at their New Mexico home in the US, in an incident that police are calling “suspicious.”

Hackman’s body was found in a mud room, and his wife was found next to a space heater in a bathroom, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office detectives said in a search warrant.

Police initially said they do not believe that foul play was a factor at this time and Denise Avila, a sheriff’s office spokeswoman, added there was no indication that any of them had been shot or had other types of wounds.

Santa Fe county sheriff Adan Mendoza did not provide a cause of death for the couple, who had been married since 1991.

Mendoza told a press conference that an initial inspection by the local fire department had not found high levels of the gas, but no conclusions had been drawn yet.

He added that there was no sign of a struggle at the home.

“This is an investigation, so we’re keeping everything on the table,” he said.

I think the autopsy is going to tell us a lot and any evidence that we collect.

A gas company is assisting the investigation into the death of US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, amid reports suggesting the couple died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

The person who reported the deaths found the door of Hackman’s home unlocked and open, and pills scattered next to Arakawa’s body, which was found in the bathroom with a space heater near to her head.

It appeared Arakawa had been dead “for some time,” with the body in a state of decomposition.

Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth Jean has said that carbon monoxide poisoning may be to blame.

Hackman’s daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter Annie, said they will miss the actor “sorely” and are “devastated by the loss”.

A statement to the PA news agency said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy.

“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.”

Initial police statement

Earlier, a statement from the county sheriff’s office said there is an “active investigation” into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, aged 95 and 63 respectively.

The police department said: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.

“This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

Local paper the Sante Fe New Mexican reported that Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the news just after midnight local time (7am Irish time) and that the couple’s dog was also found deceased. 

Mendoza said there was no immediate indication of foul play but did not provide a cause of death or say when the couple might have died. 

Hackman won Oscars for his roles in crime thriller The French Connection (1971) and western Unforgiven (1992). Widely regarded among the greatest actors of his generation, Hackman retired in 2004 and never returned to the big screen. 

A prolific star of some of Hollywood’s best-known films in a career spanning five decades, some of his other best-loved roles were in films such as Mississippi Burning, The Poseidon Adventure, Hoosiers, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State and the 1970s/80s Superman series. 

Prior to his acting career, Hackman grew up in Illinois and enlisted in the US military at the age of 16, spending time in China and Japan. 

Hackman married Arakawa, a Hawaii-born classical pianist, in 1991 and the pair moved to a scenic hilltop house in Sante Fe, New Mexico. The pair lived a relatively private life compared to Hollywood stars of his level of fame. 

Hackman had three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, whom he was married to for 30 years until 1986. 

Speaking in 2020 about his retirement and his career, Hackman described the “business part of show business” as “kinda wicked” and difficult in his older years, adding that he much preferred performing: 

When I’m actually on the set or on a stage, actually doing the work, I loved that process and I loved the creative process of trying to bring a character to life.

“And then, when you’re actually shooting or performing, there is a kind of a feeling that comes over you, a confidence and kind of a wonderful, washed-over feeling of wellbeing, if you will. When it’s going well!”

Tributes

Hollywood actors and directors have been paying tribute to Hackman as the US woke up to news of his death. 

Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on 1974′s The Conversation, said he was “inspiring and magnificent”. 

PastedImage-10537 Coppola and Hackman on the set of The Conversation. Instagram Instagram

“The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration. Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution,” Coppola wrote on social media. 

Viola Davis said that Hackman was “one of the greats”: 

Loved you in everything! 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.

Director Paul Feig said that Hackman was “an inspiration to so many of us who love movies”. 

“So many brilliant roles. His performance in The Conversation alone changed the way I looked at acting and what actors could bring to a role. Such an amazing career. RIP Mr. Hackman,” he wrote. 

 

 

 

 

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    Mute Johannes Baader
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:04 AM

    There is always opposition to a good idea

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    Mute Eoghan O Sullivan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:43 AM

    @Johannes Baader:

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    Mute Eoghan O Sullivan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:44 AM

    @Johannes Baader: your right – the DAA are likely to object to thr good ideas proposed in thr submission

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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jul 10th 2024, 11:02 AM

    @Johannes Baader: It’s a good idea, but the residents have a point. Converting a roadside layby into a viewing area is not ideal. I’m sure DAA has a suitable spot which they could utilise. Most airports have a viewing area and it’s not a converted layby.

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    Mute sean whelan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:13 AM

    What is wrong with people in this country!
    Little to be moaning about!

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    Mute John Carolan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:16 AM

    To be fair to the objectors, one of the main points they are making is the new plans are only allowing for 22 car parking spaces…I drove passed the existing area a few days ago and there was more than 22 cars parked…

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Jul 10th 2024, 9:52 AM

    @John Carolan: Question! Do the objectors not want it, or do they want it bigger????

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    Mute Concerned Driver
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    Jul 10th 2024, 11:49 AM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: I’d say if it’ll be bigger, they will object it too.

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    Mute Fiona Wyse
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:28 AM

    I object too, it needs to be bigger and with toilet facilities.

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    Mute Alex Kane
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:43 AM

    @Fiona Wyse: go before ye go smh

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    Mute Fiona Wyse
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    Jul 10th 2024, 10:41 AM

    @Alex Kane: you obviously have not met my bladder!!

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Jul 10th 2024, 2:17 PM

    @Alex Kane: Wise advice to everyone!

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jul 10th 2024, 6:25 PM

    @Fiona Wyse: oh and a coffee shop too. …. let’s go all out cop on ffs

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    Mute Gerard Reilly
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:40 AM

    There will always be a group of people that will take the joy away from anything. It’s already used a veining spot and can be a bit unsafe at times, and now the DAA wants to make it safer, maybe enjoy a cup of coffee with the kids. Let’s fight thrm back.

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    Mute Eoghan O Sullivan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:48 AM

    @Gerard Reilly: good idea most would agree, but with the usual deficiencies – which those objecting are looking to address now. Let them get it right first before they construct it.

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jul 10th 2024, 11:24 AM

    @Gerard Reilly: the DAA broke every rule in the book changing their flight plan after they got their planning . More and more planes comming over our direction . DAA Bullied people around St Margrett s and surrounds so yous know nothing

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    Mute Gerard Carey
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:30 AM

    Its a hell of a lot better than what’s there at the moment.

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    Mute Seriously Really
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:15 AM

    The idea for an observation deck is great! However, I think opposition is good for an open dialogue. I believe the deck should be on land that is not owned by daa. I think there should be negotions that would conclude with daa constructing the building, ongoing maintenance, security and housekeeping of the area, all without cost. Further, the negotiations should figure in no charge for the public to use the facility.

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    Mute smatrix mantra
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:55 AM

    People may have objections, as they do. But they should not be able to block projects based on feelings.

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    Mute Eoghan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 9:11 AM

    @smatrix mantra: is it a feeling that 22 places isn’t enough? Is it a feeling that there should be adequate toilet facilities…. Or are these valid observations?

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    Mute James Moylan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 10:04 AM

    Probably looking for some hush money

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    Mute Jim
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:51 AM

    The DAA does not own the land they are proposing to develop, what right do they have?

    No doubt, if it did get developed they would start charging excessively for it.

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    Mute Alan Boyd
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    Jul 10th 2024, 9:30 AM

    They wud be better sorting out the car park beside the new runway its always full of trucks which despite the signage sayin no parking put out by fingal co co! Its supposed to be a viewing area! But there is always moaners i luv to watch planes but i wonder have any of the objecters ever done so! Or is it the object to anything faction concerned with the daa!

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    Mute Ian
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    Jul 10th 2024, 10:26 AM

    Fkin nimbys.

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    Mute Tezmond McVicar
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    Jul 10th 2024, 1:43 PM

    No craic Ireland. Moany, self-entitled kill-joys everywhere.

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    Mute smatrix mantra
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:56 AM

    Only @Eamon is hoping to witness a crash.

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    Mute Eamon
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:41 AM

    Let’s be honest, they’re all there hoping to witness a crash.

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    Mute reg morrisey
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    Jul 10th 2024, 8:49 AM

    @Eamon: you need to educate yourself Eamon. What a ridiculous comment.

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    Mute Ian
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    Jul 10th 2024, 10:27 AM

    @reg morrisey: clown.

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    Mute Fiona Wyse
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    Jul 10th 2024, 10:42 AM

    @Eamon: if I took my daughters to this for the day that’s the last thing I want them to see thanks very much, and myself!

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    Mute Paddy Whelan
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    Jul 10th 2024, 11:11 AM

    @Nick Vasilakis: Like dalmatian spotting but with a bigger brush.
    I’ll get me coat.

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    Mute Nick Vasilakis
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    Jul 10th 2024, 10:13 AM

    WTF is “plane spotting”?

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    Mute Paul
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    Jul 10th 2024, 1:43 PM

    Didn’t realise Fingal CoCo had a Dogging Department

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Jul 10th 2024, 3:02 PM

    When Ballymun Flats where first built residents on Ballymun avenue changed the name to glasneiven avenue and built a wall at the rear of them.

    Now They have a multitude of aircraft flying over them and the high rise flats are gone how times never change but do.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Jul 10th 2024, 2:11 PM

    Nimbyism at it’s finest!

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    Mute MIchael Costello
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    Jul 10th 2024, 5:15 PM

    I’m just surprised no one mentioned the aspect of antisocial behaviour. A covered seated area on a back road prime for let’s say ” boy racers” to rock up with some refreshments for a twilight meet with the pals

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    Mute Mark Anthony Savage
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    Jul 10th 2024, 4:58 PM

    There’s going to be some seriously awkward dogging going on there.

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jul 10th 2024, 6:24 PM

    Would they not be better getting more parking or better shuttle services

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    Mute James Leahy
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    Jul 10th 2024, 5:25 PM

    Look up it’s Air Lingus or is it?

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    Mute Derick R M
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    Jul 12th 2024, 9:30 PM

    Does it have a bar?

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