As the investigation into the tragic deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa continues, newly released body camera footage is providing a deeper—and more unsettling—glimpse into the final days of the iconic couple. The footage, captured by deputies responding to a welfare check at the couple’s Santa Fe, New Mexico, home in late February, offers a chilling yet respectful look at the circumstances surrounding their sudden and somber passing.
According to The Associated Press, the footage shows deputies speaking with two workers who initially spotted a body through the home’s windows. While there were no signs of forced entry or clear foul play, one worker remarked, “Something’s not right.” Early concerns included the possibility of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, but those were ruled out after further inspection.
The footage also includes details from Christopher, Arakawa’s hairstylist, who revealed that Betsy had confided in him about feeling followed. She had reportedly been tailed on two separate occasions by the same man—once from their home to White Rock, and again to a second, undisclosed location. The man allegedly carried a folder of photos of Hackman, seeking autographs, and even attempted to gift the couple a bottle of wine, which they declined. The hairstylist said Betsy was surprised that the man had managed to get past security and worried that he knew what vehicle they drove.
“She said, ‘Christopher, I’m surprised that security didn’t know how he got there,’” he told law enforcement, adding that she confronted the man, telling him to “have more respect.” Christopher, clearly disturbed by the events, recalled warning Betsy that the situation made him “nervous.”
The unsettling encounters, however, appear to be unrelated to the cause of the couple’s deaths. Medical examiners later confirmed that Betsy Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly respiratory illness contracted from rodent droppings. Gene Hackman, who was 95, passed away roughly a week later from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with his advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. Officials believe Hackman may have been unaware of his wife’s death due to his cognitive decline.
In response to public interest, the Hackman estate has obtained a temporary restraining order blocking the release of sensitive images and videos, citing the couple’s lifelong commitment to privacy.
A heartbreaking ending for a Hollywood legend—and a sobering reminder that even the most private lives are not immune to tragedy.
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