Additional Coverage:
- Gene Hackman’s estranged children travel to Santa Fe as actor, wife laid to rest in private funeral service (foxnews.com)
Santa Fe, NM—Beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, were recently laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by family. The memorial service took place over a month after the couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26th. Hackman’s three children, Elizabeth, Leslie, and Christopher, gathered in New Mexico to honor their parents.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department conducted a thorough investigation into the deaths. Officials confirmed that Betsy Hackman, a talented classical pianist, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Gene Hackman’s death was attributed to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a significant contributing factor. No external trauma was found on either individual.
While initial reports suggested both deaths occurred around the same time, further investigation revealed a more complex timeline. Phone records indicate Betsy likely passed away around February 12th.
Data from Gene Hackman’s pacemaker suggests he died approximately a week later, around February 18th. He was 94 years old.
The couple had been married for over 30 years.