Gene Hackman’s neighbour reveals eccentric details about actor’s reclusive life
The actor and his wife were found dead at home.
Gene Hackman’s neighbour shared shocking details about the actor’s isolated life following the shocking news of his death.
The Hollywood icon, who took home two Academy Awards throughout his incredible career, was found dead at his home in Santa Fe this week at the age of 95, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog.
There is currently a police investigation underway, with officials revealing that they may have died ‘several days’ before they were discovered.
According to their neighbours, Hackman and Arakawa lived an extremely reclusive life and were rarely seen outside of their home per The New York Times.
Next-door neighbour James Everett told the publication: ‘They have a gate, and we have a gate, and we just have never even seen each other.’
Another resident, Bud Hamilton, shared that although he only had dinner with the late actor once, the star would donate a painting every year to the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico to auction, after learning of Bud’s involvement in the charity.
Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their home earlier this week (Picture: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)During Sunday’s Academy Awards, Hollywood heavyweight Morgan Freeman gave a touching tribute to his late co-star and friend.
‘This week, our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman,’ he began, to applause from the crowd.
‘I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, Unforgiven and Under Suspicion, and like everyone who would ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man who gets elevated everyone’s work.
‘He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world. Gene always said, “I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.”
‘So I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and for so much more. Rest in peace, my friend.’
While their family speculated they might have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, New Mexico Gas Company tested gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, according to a search warrant, and found no problems.
Both Hackman and Arakawa appeared to have suddenly fallen to the floor and neither showed signs of blunt force trauma, the affidavit said.
However, a detective noted that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show signs of poisoning.
The official results of the post-mortem examinations and toxicology reports are pending and the manner and cause of death have not yet been determined, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Hackman is survived by his two daughters – Leslie and Elizabeth – and his son Christopher (Picture: Frank Edwards/Archive Photos/Getty Images)Last year, the Unforgiven star and Arakawa were seen out and about for the first time in two decades following Hackman’s 2004 retirement.
Hackman is survived by the three children he welcomed with his ex-wife, Faye Maltese – Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 63, and Leslie, 58. They have largely kept out of the spotlight.
Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter, Annie, shared a statement with the New York Post yesterday confirming the deaths.
‘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,’ the statement continued. ‘We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.’
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