On February 26, 2025, the tragic news emerged that legendary actor Gene Hackman, aged 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home, shocking their family and fans alike. Their bodies were discovered in separate rooms of their $3.8 million residence by a neighbor and caretaker, who promptly alerted emergency services. The scene also revealed the death of one of their three dogs, prompting the authorities to mark the deaths as suspicious and initiate an extensive investigation.The day following the discovery, Hackman’s daughters, Leslie Anne and Elizabeth, together with his granddaughter Annie, expressed their profound grief in a public statement. They remembered Hackman as a cherished family member, deeply loved by his fans for his extensive career in acting.

As the investigation progressed, Leslie speculated that a possible carbon monoxide leak could have been the cause of the deaths, noting that her father had been in robust health, engaged in regular physical activities like yoga and Pilates, and had not suffered any recent health issues that might have led to their sudden passing.