Gene Hackman’s family insist he was “in good health” before death
Following the death of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, Hackman’s daughter has maintained her 95-year-old late father was in “good health” before his death.
On February 27th, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean, was quoted by TMZ as stating that carbon monoxide may have been the cause of her father’s death. The publication claims “they’re not sure, but they think the cause might be from toxic fumes.”
Now, his other daughter, Leslie Anne, has said to The Daily Mail in a new interview they believe a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning could possibly be the reason for his death due to the actor’s strong health. She told the publication “there was no indication that there was any problem” with Hackman’s condition prior to his death.
“Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” she said about her late father. “He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.”
Although Leslie stated that her father was healthy before his death, she does accept that it’s “not terribly shocking” due to his age.
She also said he had “a wonderful marriage” to Arakawa, adding, “And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.”
Leslie also said: “(Betsy) took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health. So I am appreciative to her for that, and I’m very saddened by her passing.”
Hackman’s two daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter, Annie, previously issued a joint tribute to the late actor.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they wrote. The trio continued: “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.”
In an affidavit published by the Sante Fe Police Department, Arakawa’s body was described as showing “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.” Hackman, who was found in the mud room, is suspected to have “suddenly fallen” and “showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent”.
Arakawa’s body was found by the police in a bathroom with a space heater near her head and she was also said to have been surrounded by pill bottles. A dead dog was also found within 10 to 15 metres of her body, and two other dogs survived.
The police have since confirmed they believe “the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation”.
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