New clue in Gene Hackman’s wife’s death with phonecalls for medical help revealed
Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa made phonecalls for medical help before her tragic death
Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa made a medical appeal for help before her tragic death, it has been confirmed.
The Hollywood star, 95, was found dead by neighbourhood security alongside his former concert pianist wife, 65, in their New Mexico home on February 26.
While Hackman was found in the mud room, Betsy lay upstairs in the bathroom, with pills scattered next to her, and a deceased dog nearby in a cage.
With many questions left answered regarding the tragedy, police have confirmed that Betsy made three calls to a medical centre in an apparent bid to seek advice or help.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News: ‘We can now confirm that Mrs. Hackman’s phone was utilised on the morning of February 12 to call a medical center in Santa Fe called Cloudberry Health.
The couple were found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26 (Picture: AP)‘A total of three calls were made that morning, all to the medical center. One incoming call was made to Mrs. Hackman from the same medical center that afternoon.’
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said: ‘That would indicate to me that she was seeking medical advice or medical help, and may have not been feeling well.’
Dr Josiah Child described the call as an inquiry about ‘esoteric treatment’ and cited symptoms including ‘some congestion’.
He added that his office called back twice, but said they never heard back. The doctor also revealed that Betsy had cancelled an appointment just days earlier, citing her husband’s ill health.
Gene’s cause of death was due to heart disease (Picture: Getty Images)Gene’s cause of death was due to heart disease, with Alzheimer’s being ‘a significant contributing factor’, while Betsy is believed to have died a week prior from a rare infection known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
However, these details have been thrown into doubt as a doctor alleged that Betsy could not have died on February 11 as previously thought—because she called his clinic a day later.
Dr Josiah Child, a former emergency care specialist who runs Cloudberry Health in Santa Fe, New Mexico, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Mrs Hackman didn’t die on February 11 because she called my clinic on February 12.’
Gene’s daughters paid tribute to their dad after his tragic death (Picture: Getty Images)Hackman’s daughters Elizabeth and Leslie joined granddaughter Annie in releasing a statement with the sad news as they paid tribute to the actor.
‘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 and are devastated by the loss.’
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