Handwritten Love Notes Found at Gene Hackman's Home Reveal Final Devotion to Betsy

A series of recently released police documents and photographs have revealed touching handwritten notes exchanged between Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, before their deaths in their Santa Fe home. The notes demonstrate their deep devotion, with Hackman often calling Arakawa his 'lovely girl' and signing off as 'Love, G.' The couple, married since 1991, died about a week apart: Arakawa from hantavirus and Hackman from heart disease while suffering from Alzheimer's, with authorities suggesting Hackman may not have realized his wife had passed. The notes, some playful and others poignant, show Hackman expressing gratitude for Arakawa's help and acknowledging his health struggles with humor. Police bodycam footage and crime scene photos also captured the somber scene inside their home, including a loyal dog staying by Arakawa’s side. The released correspondence offers an intimate glimpse into the couple's final days and their enduring affection.