Gene Hackman's Estranged Children Gather for Private Funeral After Tragic Passing

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, were laid to rest in a private funeral service in Santa Fe, New Mexico, over a month after their bodies were tragically found in their home. The ceremony was attended by their three children—daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, and son Christopher—who traveled from afar to pay their respects at the small, private memorial, according to People magazine.

Betsy, a talented classical pianist, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal illness spread by rodents, according to local health officials. Gene Hackman, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor known for his legendary career, passed away from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease noted as a significant contributing factor.

The couple and one of their dogs were found deceased on February 26 in their Santa Fe residence, where they had lived together for more than 30 years. The circumstances surrounding their deaths raised concerns prompting investigation, as documented by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department. Leslie Hackman initiated a welfare check on the couple after receiving concerning news but initially couldn’t provide the exact address during her call.

Emergency dispatch records reveal that a 911 call reporting an "unattended death" was logged early afternoon, with the medical examiner arriving late that evening. Early on, authorities suspected the deaths occurred close together. Further investigation clarified that Betsy likely died around February 11, while Gene survived alone until about February 18, when the last activity was registered on his pacemaker.

The delay in discovering their bodies—the couple was not found for nine days after Gene’s estimated time of death—added a layer of sadness to an already grim picture. Though no external injuries were found on either, the deaths were initially described as suspicious enough to warrant a full criminal investigation, reflecting the caution authorities often exercise in unexpected cases.

In the end, the final moments of both Gene and Betsy Hackman marked a somber close to lives once filled with art, music, and Hollywood acclaim. It’s heart-wrenching that circumstances led to such an isolated ending, but the private funeral and their children’s presence bring a semblance of peace to the family’s farewell.