Gene Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, were seen out and about just a day after learning of their father’s tragic passing—one of them revealing they hadn’t spoken to him in months.
The 95-year-old Hollywood legend and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in separate rooms of their $3.3 million Santa Fe mansion on Wednesday afternoon. Their bodies, reportedly partially mummified, raised questions about how long they had been deceased before being discovered.
Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding Their Deaths
Authorities have yet to release an official cause of death, but one theory suggests Hackman may have suffered a sudden fall, as his sunglasses and walking cane were found near his body.
Autopsies have been completed, and officials confirmed that no external trauma was found on either body. However, full results, including toxicology reports, are still pending.
Hackman’s Daughters Appear in Public Amidst Investigation
On Thursday, DailyMail.com exclusively obtained photos of Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, as they stepped into a Denny’s restaurant in Burbank, California.
Despite the tragic news, the sisters appeared composed—even managing a smile as they left the diner.
“We’re still waiting to hear the cause of death,” Leslie, 59, told DailyMail.com, adding that the family was still trying to process what had happened.
Did Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Play a Role?
Leslie and Elizabeth speculated that their father and stepmother may have died from toxic fumes, possibly due to a carbon monoxide leak. However, Santa Fe fire officials and the New Mexico Gas Company tested the home and ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause.
Leslie, who lives in California, admitted she hadn’t spoken to her father in a few months, though she insisted they remained close.
“There was no indication of any problem. Despite his age, he was in very good shape, doing Pilates and yoga several times a week,” she shared.
The Family’s Next Steps
Leslie revealed that she plans to travel to New Mexico once the family hears back from police.
“We need to wait for more information before heading out there. We weren’t expecting to have to go through the house and all that,” she said.
The family later released a statement expressing their devastation, calling Hackman a beloved father and grandfather:
“He was loved and admired by millions for his brilliant acting career. But to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely.”
How Were Their Bodies Discovered?
Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were found by two maintenance workers, Roland Lowe Begay and Jesse Kesler, who hadn’t seen the couple for about two weeks.
A 911 call made after the discovery revealed a distressed male caller saying, “Damn… I found two bodies. They’re not moving.”
The search warrant affidavit described both bodies as showing signs of decomposition and partial mummification, suggesting they had been deceased for an extended period.
Hackman’s Hollywood Legacy and Family Tribute
Gene Hackman, known for iconic roles in The French Connection, Superman, and Unforgiven, had been married to Arakawa since 1991.
His nephew, Tim Hackman, revealed that Leslie had been the closest family member in contact with Gene and Betsy before their passing.
“We had prepared for his passing first, given the age gap between him and Betsy,” Tim said. “Now everything has changed.”
The Academy Awards team is reportedly scrambling to put together a last-minute tribute for the two-time Oscar winner ahead of the March 2, 2025, ceremony.
