Gene Hackman Couldn't Call for Help After Wife's Death, Reports Reveal

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home, with Arakawa having passed away on February 11 from hantavirus and Hackman following a week later due to heart disease exacerbated by Alzheimer's. A close friend revealed that Hackman was unable to call for help after his wife's death because he did not own a phone and was uninterested in technology. This disconnection from the outside world, coupled with the advanced stage of his Alzheimer's, left him disoriented and unable to seek assistance. Their bodies were discovered on February 26, and investigations confirmed no foul play was suspected in their deaths. Reports indicated that Hackman likely did not realize his wife had died, compounding the tragedy of their situation. The ongoing investigation includes reviewing phone records and the necropsy results of their deceased dog found at the scene.