Gene Hackman's Nephew Broke Silence on 'Theories' Surrounding Actor and Wife's 'Suspicious' Deaths – Details

Gene Hackman's sudden death has left his family with more questions than answers. As speculation grows, they remain focused on uncovering what really happened.

A week has passed since Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead under mysterious circumstances. Yet, questions continue to swirl. Reports of the incident have flooded tabloids, and the public remains eager to understand how the beloved actor and his wife met their tragic end.

Authorities are still trying to piece together the puzzle. The deaths of Gene, 95, his wife, Betsy, 64, and their dog have been labeled "suspicious."

A search warrant revealed that a Santa Fe detective found the situation unusual. The officer noted that the front door of the residence was unsecured and open when the couple was discovered, raising concerns that warranted a full investigation.

Despite the growing speculation, Gene's family is urging patience. They are not drawing conclusions until all the facts emerge. His nephew, Tim Hackman, spoke to Us Weekly, emphasizing the need to wait for toxicology reports.

"We're waiting on toxicology. That will tell us everything," he said on March 3. "It's hard to theorize. There are lots of theories out there, and I don't want to speculate. It's easy to speculate negative theories."

Tim Hackman also stressed the family's commitment to staying level-headed. "The family wants to keep it positive for now, and when we know the truth, we will deal with it."

Authorities discovered Gene and Betsy’s bodies inside their home on February 26, following a wellness check request. As investigations continue, the world waits for answers about what led to the tragic loss of the iconic actor and his wife.

Theories and Doubts

Gene's daughter, Leslie Anne Allen, was among the first family members to address the tragedy. She and her sister, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, shared their theory about what may have led to the deaths of their father, stepmother, Arakawa, and their dog.

They speculated that the three may have succumbed to toxic fumes from a possible carbon monoxide leak inside the home.

Authorities, however, have not confirmed this theory. Fire department officials inspected the residence but found no immediate signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. The New Mexico Gas Company also tested the home's gas lines and reported no issues.

"As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated with the pipes in and around the residence," their report stated.

Despite these findings, Santa Fe fire chief Brian Moya did not completely rule out carbon monoxide as a factor. Speaking on "Today," he acknowledged the possibility but emphasized the lack of concrete evidence.

He said the home had natural gas in it, so it may have played a factor. Moya added that authorities had conducted multiple searches, including a second round of inspections, but still found nothing to support the carbon monoxide theory.

Gene's daughter Leslie admitted that the loss has been difficult to process, especially since there were no warning signs. "Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition," Leslie, 58, revealed.

She noted that her father had not undergone any major surgeries in recent months and maintained an active lifestyle. "He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health."

Still, she acknowledged that his death was not entirely shocking, given his advanced age. At 95, Gene had largely retreated from the public eye, leading a quiet life in Santa Fe.

Leslie, who lives in California, shared that it had been "a few months" since she last spoke with her father. Despite the distance, she emphasized that their relationship remained strong. "We were close. I hadn't talked to them for a couple of months, but everything was normal, and everything was good," she said.

Gene's nephew, Tim, has more questions than answers about his uncle's death. The details surrounding the scene where the bodies were found have left him unsettled.

"My uncle was 95 years old—at an age where you think about, 'OK, it's time,'" Tim said on Monday. "But from the circumstances, now things have changed a bit. It's a major change."

Despite the uncertainty, Tim chooses to focus on the good memories he shared with his uncle. Their last in-person meeting was at his father Richard Hackman's funeral over a decade ago. Richard, Gene's brother, had worked as a stuntman for the Oscar-winning actor.

"He was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico," Tim recalled. "I would call Betsy and give an update on the kids. He'd come to California just to see his family or for the weather."

Meanwhile, experts continue to weigh in on the circumstances of Gene's death. Dr. James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner of Connecticut, is not officially involved in the investigation but shared his insights.

He ruled out the possibility of a "companion suicide," where a couple chooses to end their lives together. "I've seen cases like that—usually they're together in bed," Gill explained. "The fact that they're in two separate locations tells me that I think that's less likely."

Instead, he suggested that Gene's history of heart disease and the presence of a pacemaker could have played a role. "It seems like he may have collapsed," Gill said. "That would not be unusual."

He also dismissed another tragic possibility. In some cases, a bedridden individual with dementia may die from neglect if their caregiver passes away first. "I don't think that's the case in this," he stated.

Unanswered Questions

With many theories circulating, details have emerged about the moment authorities were alerted to Gene and Betsy's deaths. Audio from the 911 call that led police to their home reveals a frantic caretaker pleading for emergency responders to arrive quickly.

The unnamed caller, whose identity was hidden, initially sounded unsure of what they had discovered. The person later told the dispatcher that they had stumbled across one or two dead bodies. Their voice was filled with urgency and distress.

As the dispatcher called for paramedics, the caretaker could be heard repeatedly muttering, "Damn," while struggling to hold back tears.

The dispatcher then asked a series of questions about the individuals inside, referring to them as "patients." The caller, however, was unable to provide many details. They didn't know the ages or genders of those inside but confirmed they saw no movement.

Crucially, the caller was not inside the house but looking through a window. They had no way to enter, adding to the mystery surrounding how Gene and Betsy were found.

The chilling call offers a glimpse into the moments before authorities arrived. While authorities ruled out foul play, a forensic pathologist has now provided a possible explanation for their tragic deaths.

According to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, there was no immediate indication of foul play. He did not provide a cause of death or say when the couple might have died. However, the circumstances surrounding their passing remain a mystery.

Gene had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s. He married Arakawa in 1991, and the two lived a private life in their secluded home. Before their bodies were found, deputies had arrived at their residence on Old Sunset Trail after receiving an unspecified report.

It was during this time that the cops discovered their lifeless bodies. As authorities pieced together a timeline, one detail stood out — Gene's pacemaker had stopped functioning on February 17. They suggested that the actor may have been dead for nine days before being discovered.

"I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life," Adan told reporters at a press conference on Friday, Feb. 28.

But that was just one piece of the puzzle. Gene and Betsy were found in different parts of the house. Arakawa's body lay in the bathroom, near a space heater, an open bottle of pills beside her.

The search warrant affidavit noted signs of "mummification," suggesting she had been gone for some time. Gene, found elsewhere, showed similar signs. However, two other dogs were discovered alive inside the home.

The biggest question still remains: Who passed away first? Sheriff Adan admitted it was "a very hard thing to determine."

Despite the unusual circumstances, investigators do not suspect foul play. There were no signs of forced entry, violence, or struggle.

A Tragic Chain of Events

As questions surrounding the couple's deaths persist, a leading forensic pathologist has offered one possible explanation. Dr. Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, suggested that Gene's death may have been the result of cardiac arrest — an event possibly recorded by his pacemaker.

Speaking on "Fox Report," Michael explained that the device, which last logged activity on February 17, may hold critical insights. "That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate," he said.

He noted that pacemakers track pulse rates and discharge when they drop too low, leaving behind a detailed record. "And that's all in the record."

The autopsy confirmed there were no external injuries or signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Baden pointed to another common factor — heart disease.

"The most common cause of death in this country," he said, referring to severe coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. He theorized that Gene may have suffered a fatal cardiac event, collapsing in the mudroom where he was later found.

Dr. Michael also offered a possible explanation for Betsy's death, suggesting she may have been trying to help her husband in his final moments. He theorized that upon discovering Gene unresponsive, she might have rushed to retrieve his blood pressure medication from the bathroom.

According to a search warrant affidavit, authorities found bottles of thyroid medication, blood pressure pills, and Tylenol in the bathroom.

Michael speculated that in her haste, Betsy may have suffered a fatal accident. "She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn't show up on the outside," he explained.

Another possibility, Michael noted, was an undiagnosed heart condition. At 65, Betsy may have had severe heart disease, and the shock of the moment could have triggered a fatal cardiac event. However, he emphasized that a head injury seemed more likely. "I think the first, that striking her head would be more common," he said.

Clues from the Scene

Authorities believe Gene may have collapsed unexpectedly. A search warrant affidavit detailed the discovery of his body. He was fully clothed, lying near a pair of sunglasses and a walking cane. Investigators noted these details suggested he had "suddenly fallen."

The situation inside the home grew even more complex with the discovery of the couple's German Shepherd. The affidavit stated that the dog was found deceased in a closet inside the bathroom, roughly 10 to 15 feet from Betsy. Meanwhile, two other dogs were found alive — one near Betsy's body and another outside the residence.

Dr. Michael initially found the dog's death puzzling, especially since it had been free inside the home. "And that's why I think that the carbon monoxide [theory] was a very good thought with them breathing in the same air," he said.

However, investigators later revealed that the German Shepherd had likely died from dehydration after being confined in a kennel for nine days.

Dr. Michael also pointed out that the couple's secluded lifestyle may have played a role in the delay of an emergency response. With no one else around, there was no immediate call for help. "That may have been the reason that 911 wasn't called, for example, while his wife was trying to get him some medication and fell," he explained.

The tragic nature of their passing was further amplified by Gene's legacy. "The circumstances and who he was — he was beloved by so many — are what make it so unusual," Baden said.

Gene's death marks the end of an era. The two-time Academy Award winner, best known for his roles in "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," built a career that spanned decades. His performances left an indelible mark on Hollywood, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations.

News of Gene and his wife's deaths has sparked an outpouring of emotions online, with many struggling to process the shocking loss. Social media has been flooded with tributes and speculation as fans try to make sense of the tragedy.

"Heartbreaking," one person wrote, capturing the sentiment of many. Another reflected on Gene's legacy, saying, "So sad! Glad he had a long, productive life, though." Others, however, couldn't shake the lingering mystery. "Lots of unanswered questions," a third person noted, echoing the very thoughts investigators are working to resolve.