On Feb. 26, actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe in what authorities have called “suspicious” circumstances. Now, some telling details have emerged regarding the couple’s lifestyle.
More than a week later, not much is known about their deaths as authorities still do not know the cause of death for either Hackman or Arakawa, the timeline of either of their deaths, whether or not drugs or medication played a role, or if foul play was involved. However, a new report gives some telling details about the life they lived together.
According to a report from The Daily Mail, Arakawa pushed Hackman to stay active later in his life even though he was slowing down because she wanted him to live as long as possible
A source told the outlet that Arakawa, who was 65 years old, “believed staying physically fit was of utmost importance to his health” and that she did not want him to ride in a wheelchair and preferred that he walk with a cane, even though he was 95 years old.
Additionally, the outlet reported that Arakawa was a “fitness nut” who cooked clean dishes, eating things like fish, vegetables, red curry, miso soup, and shrimp salad.
Barbara Lenihan, who was a friend of Hackman and Arakawa, recently confirmed her good health, saying that Arakawa “was in perfect health (and) was so fit.”
When authorities discovered their bodies, Hackman was found on the ground near his cane while Arakawa was found in an open bathroom near a space heater with a prescription bottle on the ground and pills scattered on the floor.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that the last recorded activity on Hackman’s pacemaker occurred on Feb. 17, indicating that was his last day of life.
While experts believe that it’s likely the two died around the same time, investigators have been unable to determine the exact time of death for either Hackman or Arakawa or who died first.
The couple tested negative for carbon monoxide and authorities have concluded that a gas leak was not to blame. Investigators found no external trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa and no “obvious” or “immediate” signs of foul play, though experts have not completely ruled it out.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza called the pills found near Arakawa’s body “important evidence,” but authorities don’t yet know if they are related to the deaths.