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Touching Notes Show Betsy Arakawa Left Gene Hackman Memory Cues Around The House
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Touching Notes Show Betsy Arakawa Left Gene Hackman Memory Cues Around The House

Police released a series of handwritten letters that Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, wrote to each other.

The undated notes, found scattered throughout the reclusive couple’s home, offer a glimpse into the final years of their relationship.

The couple were found lifeless in their Santa Fe home on February 26. The actor passed away from heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease about a week after the pianist succumbed to hantavirus.

Highlights
  • Undated notes exchanged between Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa and kept in their New Mexico home have been released.
  • The letters reflect Betsy’s caretaking role with her husband, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
  • The notes detail Gene Hackman’s affection towards the pianist and his being aware that his health was deteriorating.

In one of the notes, the 95-year-old apologized to his wife for asking her to help prepare her own birthday dinner.

“Good morning,” the note began. “Happy several days after your birthday. Sorry still about the dinner and having to ask for your help, although it was appreciated.”

Gene signed the note: “Love you and the guys, G.”

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    Image credits: Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images

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    In another, more playful letter, the Oscar winner seemingly revealed that he was aware of hisdeteriorating health.

    “I’m going down to that building out past the hot water place where you sit, and do whatever it is that people are supposed to do in such a building—maybe I’ll remember once I get down there.”

    Instead of his usual “Love, G,” he signed the note: “Love, what’s his name.”

    Part of the released footage includes an email in which Betsy said Gene had “flu-like symptoms”

    Image credits: FOX 29 Philadelphia

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    A separate letter revealed Gene had written about being “barely alive.”

    He wrote: “Ho, Ho, I am off to see the Wizard, the Wizz of Achie, Pokie. She stabs me here and stabs me there, she stabs me almost everywhere (almost). 

    “But I survive because after (sic) I am still alive. (But sometimes just barely). Love, G.”

    The Unforgiven star also left a romantic message to his wife, writing, “Morning lovely girl, thinking of you and the other little guys. Love G.”

    The undated notes were found scattered throughout the couple’s New Mexico home

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    The notes revealed that Betsy left jigsaw puzzles for her husband to complete. 

    In one letter, the musician penned, “Hi G! Taking Zin to obedience class & the vet appt. See you back at home! There is a jigsaw puzzle on the table. xo B.”

    Police photos taken in the home show a collection of large completed puzzles piled on top of a table.

    She also left notes around the house detailing her daily activities. One of them stated that she had a yoga class at 12:30.

    “I am still alive. (But sometimes just barely). Love, G,” reads one of the letters

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    Betsy informed her husband in another letter about a “water leak” in their home and mentioned someone coming to “fix” it, but a water stain has rendered most of the note illegible.

    Gene and Betsy met in the 1980s while she was working part-time at a gym in California.

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    In 1991, the couple tied the knot after seven years of dating.

    Gene was previously married to Faye Maltese, with whom he had three children: Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie.

    The 95-year-old actor signed another note: “Love, what’s his name”

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

    It’s believed Betsy took on the role of sole caregiver as her husband endured the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s.

    Tom Allin, a longtime friend of Gene’s, said Betsy “was very protective” of the actor. She would set up games with his friends, look after his diet, and dilute his wine with soda water.

    Tom recalled his friend saying he would’ve been unable to survive “long ago” without Betsy.

    The letters reveal Betsy would leave jigsaw puzzles for her husband to complete

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    He shared the moment he knew Gene’s health was declining. As he told the New York Times, the couple had a tradition where he would cook dinner each year for Betsy’s birthday.

    In 2023, the musician came home expecting a meal, but Gene had forgotten their ritual.

    The photos of the letters were part of documents related to the investigation into the couple’s passing that police released on Tuesday (April 15).

    These documents were initially sealed by a temporary court order to protect the Hackman family’s privacy. However, they were later released after a court ruled that most of them constituted public record.

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    Body cam footage showed that one of the couple’s dogs, a German Shepherd, was guarding Betsy’s body when officials arrived at the property.

    The pianist was found in the bathroom close to scattered thyroid medication pills, which were found to be unrelated to her passing. Gene’s body was discovered in the mudroom.

    Zinna, one of their dogs, was found lifeless inside a crate.

    Body cam footage showed one of their dogs was guarding Betsy’s body when police arrived

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

    Image credits: Santa Fe Police Department

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    Betsy passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a flu-like virus contracted via exposure to rodent droppings, urine, and saliva.

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    HPS is a severe and potentially fatal disease that affects the lungs. According to the CDC, early symptoms can include fatigue, fever, dizziness, headaches, and muscle aches.

    Four to ten days after the initial phase of the illness, respiratory symptoms appear, which include coughing and shortness of breath.

    HPS is fatal in 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms.

    Betsy and Gene met at a gym in California and married in 1991

    Image credits: BACKGRID

    In her final days, Betsy seemingly mistook her HPS symptoms with COVID-19 symptoms. Analyzing her internet search history, investigators found that she had searched, “Can COVID cause dizziness?”

    On February 10, she also searched for “flu and nosebleeds” and “COVID nosebleeds.”

    Investigators reported that her research history showed “multiple searches related to flu and COVID symptoms.”

    Additionally, she sent an email to her massage therapist, sharing that Gene had taken a “covid test,” which came back negative, after experiencing “flu/cold-like symptoms.”

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    People were moved by the couple’s letters to each other

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    Marina Urman

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    Marina is a writer at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Science. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, and watching documentaries. Her main areas of interest include pop culture, literature, and education.

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

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    Marina is a writer at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Science. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, and watching documentaries. Her main areas of interest include pop culture, literature, and education.

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    Slapdash1
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Füüück off with this death pórn bp! That's below even your low standards. What the actual fück?

    Ian
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why the f are the Po Po allowed to release this sensitive and personal information? Explain please... You all deserve better ❤️

    H R
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. The sad ending is the poor dog who starved and didn't get water, to death. The most painful way to die. I do not care about the humans.

    Jane Spiers
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    HR - I totally agree! The humans chose to be alone, the dog didn't choose to die in a little cage!

    Load More Replies...
    Slapdash1
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Füüück off with this death pórn bp! That's below even your low standards. What the actual fück?

    Ian
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why the f are the Po Po allowed to release this sensitive and personal information? Explain please... You all deserve better ❤️

    H R
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. The sad ending is the poor dog who starved and didn't get water, to death. The most painful way to die. I do not care about the humans.

    Jane Spiers
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    HR - I totally agree! The humans chose to be alone, the dog didn't choose to die in a little cage!

    Load More Replies...
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