Heartbreaking Love Notes Between Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Found in Their Home

Authorities released images of handwritten notes between the Hollywood actor and his wife, following earlier footage showing their cluttered home and their dog.

Nearly two months after Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office released more photos from the scene. Among the items featured in the photos were personal notes Gene and Betsy had written to each other. This sparked mixed reactions online — some were heartbroken, while others were skeptical.

The notes varied in tone. Some were light and humorous, while others were simple and affectionate. One message from Betsy shared her plans for the day, mentioning that she was taking their dog, Zin, to an obedience class and a vet appointment. "See you back at home! There is jigsaw puzzle on table xo B [sic]," the note read.

In one note, Gene mentioned heading out to a nearby building but joked that he couldn't quite remember why. He ended the message with a playful sign-off, " Love, whats [sic] his name."

Another message from Gene to his wife opens with a warm birthday greeting sent a few days late. He apologizes for a dinner mishap and for needing her help, though he expresses gratitude for it. He concluded his note with, "Love you and the guys G."

In a different note, Gene used a playful tone to describe what appeared to be his experience with Alzheimer's and other health issues. He framed it as a kind of fantasy journey, writing that he was "off to see the Wizard, the Wizz of Achie, Pokie." He described being poked and prodded — likely a reference to ongoing treatments.

He ended the message by saying he was still alive, though just barely, and signed off with "Love G."

One of the notes released by authorities shows Gene expressing affection in a morning message to Betsy. He tells her he's thinking of her and "the other little guys," signing off with "Love G."

The release of the notes has drawn a wide range of reactions online. One commented, "So beautiful, this is love 💕," while another said, "How sweet they loved each other……."

Others were skeptical, raising questions about how the couple died and what happened to their belongings. "I DO NOT believe the whole dementia story," one wrote. Another added, "Normally you would give those things to his daughters as keepsakes but let's be real, the only thing they want and care about is his money and assets!! js."

Someone expressed sadness over the way Gene's life concluded. Another responded with simple awe, with a heart emoji. One supporter described the letters as deeply touching. Another emphasized that such personal notes should have remained private, out of respect for the couple. A few simply responded with a praying emoji.

The discovery of the handwritten notes came shortly after police released photos and videos showing the couple's Santa Fe home in a state of disarray, revealing more than just physical neglect.

According to Page Six, body-cam footage shows officers walking through spaces filled with clothes, dog crates, books, toiletries, and prescription bottles. One officer commented on a foul odor upon entry.

One bathroom contained feces and urine in the toilet, and a blood-stained pillow was visible in the bedroom. Evidence markers were placed throughout the home, highlighting items of interest.

The New York Post reported that the couple's remains were mummified. A follow-up inspection by the state health department, reported by NBC News, raised additional concerns. Inspector Elizabeth VinHatton found signs of rodent activity in the property's garages, guest houses, and sheds.

Inspectors also discovered live and dead rodents, nests, and droppings — even among farm equipment and abandoned vehicles. However, VinHatton noted, "Main dwelling clean with no signs of rodent activity."

While some parts of the home appeared relatively orderly, the overall condition reflected extended isolation and lack of outside contact. Gene's daughters told investigators in a March 5 interview that their father and Betsy were "very private" and did not allow maids or housekeepers into the home.

The sisters' last contact with the couple had been about a year and a half earlier, during a lunch. That sense of seclusion extended beyond family; USA Today reported that longtime friend Alan Lanham, who once golfed and dined with the couple, had not seen them in over five years.

The family's effort to maintain privacy continued after the investigation. On March 31, TMZ reported that Betsy's mother, Yoshie Feaster, filed a legal motion to block the release of police body-cam footage and autopsy records.

She described the ongoing media attention as distressing and cited the couple's firm commitment to personal privacy. In legal filings, Yoshie wrote that she had a "constitutional right to avoid seeing images of my daughter’s home, her dead body, her husband's dead body, and their dog's corpse."

Despite Yoshie's objections, a judge eventually ruled that the footage could be released as long as the couple's bodies were not shown. All public materials complied with that order, with blurred footage masking sensitive content.

The public release of the footage also sparked a wave of online reactions — especially to the sight of the couple's dog in the video. "I'm sorry but there's something not right here," one viewer wrote.

Another added, "That poor dog I hope it finds a good home," while a third reflected, "You tell by the dogs [sic] face he was worried about his family, just watching the police come inside. This whole thing is sad."

One person found it strange that the home was in such poor condition given the couple's wealth and expressed hope that both Gene and Betsy had been treated well in their final days. Someone else called the situation a tragic ending and wondered what could have caused it.

A fourth commenter criticized the couple's children, saying they didn't seem to be around and hoped any inheritance would go to charity.

Others called the situation just sad. A different viewer pointed out how messy the home was and another noticed the dog's quiet loyalty during the scene.

Earlier that month, new records revealed details about Betsy's final days. On February 10, she searched Google for terms like "can Covid cause dizziness?" and "Flu and nosebleeds." She also ordered oxygen canisters for "respiratory support."

According to Sheriff Adan Mendoza, Betsy had picked up her dog, Zinna, from the hospital a few weeks earlier and soon returned to her usual routine.

On February 11, she emailed her massage therapist at 11:21 a.m., then visited a Sprouts Farmers Market and a CVS Pharmacy. Surveillance footage captured her wearing a mask. She returned to their gated community, Santa Fe Summit, around 5:15 p.m. By then, the virus was likely taking hold. She died shortly after.

Medical reports later confirmed that Betsy died from hantavirus, a rare but serious illness caused by exposure to rodent droppings. Gene died nearly a week later from heart disease, with Alzheimer's disease listed as a contributing factor.

In the early days of the case, Gene's nephew publicly addressed the initial theories and questions surrounding the couple's deaths.

As reported on March 5, 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 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. 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, 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. Brian 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 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 is focusing 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," James 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," James 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.