Gene Hackman’s daughter has broken her silence regarding her father’s death, claiming he died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Oscar-winning American actor, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home in New Mexico along with their dog on Thursday afternoon, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
The police said it is currently an active investigation but they do not believe that foul play was a factor at this time and revealed that detectives found two surviving dogs at Hackman’s residence.
A police statement shared with media said: “On February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased.
“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time – however, exact cause of death has not been determined. This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.”
And now his daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman told TMZ that while they are not sure of her father and step-mother’s cause of death, they believe it could be due to inhaling toxic fumes.
Speaking with the outlet, she reiterated that the authorities didn’t find any signs of foul play at the couple’s home.
The Get Shorty actor was married twice, with his most recent marriage to retired classical pianist Arakawa. He shared three children; Christopher, Leslie Ann and Elizabeth with his first wife, Faye Maltese.
Hollywood star Hackman received two Oscars, two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award in an acting career which spanned six decades.
