Longtime friends of late Hollywood screen legend Gene Hackman and his pianist wife Betsy Arakawa have told how the last time they saw them they were both ‘well’
Gene Hackman’s friends have opened up about the last time they saw the Hollywood star, following his mysterious death.
The screen legend, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their home in the US state of New Mexico on February 26 along with one of their dogs. Their bodies were discovered in separate rooms and with no obvious signs of trauma and a number of unanswered questions remain in the case, investigations are continuing.
Longtime friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan – who live near to where Hackman and Arakawa lived – have now shared details of the last time they saw the couple, with Barbara saying they were “delightful” to be with.
Daniel told CNN: “Last time we saw them, they were alive and well.” Barbara said she last saw Betsy at a home decor shop. “They were so delightful to be around,” she said. “Probably never seen a couple that got along and enjoyed each other so much.”
The family last had any contact with pianist Betsy “two to three weeks ago”, when their son Brendan talked to her about the upcoming arrival of his second baby.
Barbara told People: “[Brendan] was telling Betsy it was a boy, and she was very excited. It wasn’t a real long message, but then Brendan was hoping to hear back again soon.”
The couple’s other son Aaron said he and his brother “really looked up to” the French Connection star.
“He was always extremely kind to us, but everyone else I ever saw him interact with, I think he was very honest, had a lot of integrity,” he said. “He was an incredible artist. He taught my brother and I to paint some, and the two of them were always so thoughtful.”
So far there is no cause of death, with no obvious signs of trauma and the bodies testing negative for carbon monoxide poisoning, and no evidence of forced entry into the property.
It is thought the couple died several days before they were found as Hackman’s pacemaker last recorded on February 17. Betsy was found on the bathroom floor and Hackman was in a room off of the couple’s kitchen.
Pills were found near Betsy, including thyroid and blood pressure medication.
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
