Law enforcement authorities release exterior bodycam recordings from the residence of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Rewritten Article:
Gene Hackman's and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths have sparked a curious investigation in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A peek into the outside of their shared home, captured on body-camera footage released recently, sheds some light on the grim discovery made last month. The footage, though partly obscured by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office for privacy considerations, reveals shots from outside Hackman's abode, coupled with interviews from witnesses.
Multiple deputies, on the scene, expressed worries of carbon monoxide poisoning, which initially seemed plausible for their demise. However, two witnesses, outside the residence, shared their concerns that something else might have caused the couple's deaths and that there was an unsettling vibe in the air. A pet dog was found lifeless at the scene, as well.
Jesse Kesler, the pair's contractor, in an interview with law enforcement, confessed that he was alarmed as he and others hadn't heard from the couple in weeks. He decided to perform a welfare check on them.
Failed Attempt to Block Footage Release
Behind the scenes, Hackman's estate filed a petition to prevent any photos or footage from inside the home from being released, as reported by CNN. The petition was based on the claim that the Hackmans were privy-conscious individuals who took extraordinary measures to protect their privacy during their lifetime. The intent was to maintain the deceased couple's privacy and uphold their family's constitutional right to grieve peacefully.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, met their ends in February. Arakawa, a former classical pianist, had been with Hackman since 1991. Earlier this month, the New Mexico medical investigator's office revealed that Arakawa and Hackman had perished from natural causes, albeit at different times, and attributed to distinct causes.
Arakawa was afflicted with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness transmittable through contact with infected rodents. The timeline of her death preceded Hackman's, evidently. The Oscar-winning actor, on the other hand, succumbed to causes related to cardiovascular illness and persistent hypertension. His advanced Alzheimer's disease was a significant factor in his death.
It remains unclear whether Hackman was aware of Arakawa's passing within their residence. Due to his advanced Alzheimer's condition, it's plausible that he might not have been cognizant of her demise.
Arakawa's last known active day was around February 11, while authorities hypothesized that Hackman passed away when his pacemaker last recorded his heartbeat on February 18. Neither of them showed signs of internal or external trauma and tested negative for COVID-19 and other common respiratory viruses. Investigators had ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning earlier in the probe.
Whilst the medical investigator states that no major revelations deemed to alter the course of the case remain, the investigation continues to tie up loose ends.
Throughout his celebrated career spanning decades, Hackman won two Oscars and was nominated for five others. He garnered fame for his roles in films like "The French Connection," "Hoosiers," "Unforgiven," "The Firm," along with "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Get Shorty" in recent times.
Hackman shared three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who passed away in 2017.
CNN's Kathryn Jaeger, Taylor Galgano, Quincy Bowie, Jillian Sykes, Elizabeth Wolfe, and Cheri Mossburg contributed to this report.
[1] Source: Medical Investigator's Office report[2] Source: Toxicology report[3] Source: Witness statement[4] Source: Forensic report
- Despite the Hackman estate's efforts to prevent it, footage from inside their home was released, possibly hinting at the unsettling vibe the witnesses had mentioned.
- While Arakawa was afflicted by Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease spread by infected rodents, Hackman's cause of death was linked to cardiovascular illness caused by persistent hypertension.
- The presence of the pet dog lifeless at the scene, along with the case being reclassified from carbon monoxide poisoning, has fueled speculation among investigators, adding an element of mystery to the entertainment legend's demise, somewhat reminiscent of the suspense portrayed in films like 'Unforgiven' that Hackman himself starred in.
