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The mystery surrounding Gene Hackman‘s death remains unresolved, pending results from ongoing investigations. However, his family recently shared that the late actor was in excellent physical condition before his passing. Authorities found Gene and his longtime wife, Betsy Arakawa, deceased in their New Mexico home on Wednesday, February 26.
One of the Hollywood veteran’s two daughters, Leslie Anne Hackman, addressed his health status in a new interview. She noted her family was still processing what happened. It was hard to wrap their heads around the situation since “there was no indication that there was any problem” with her father.
“Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition… He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health,” Leslie claimed. She doubled down on Gene’s good health before his passing, noting he did not undergo any surgeries recently, per Daily Mail.
Authorities Stand on ‘No Signs of Foul Play’ in Gene Hackman’s Death
On Thursday, New Mexico authorities reiterated their claim of no suspicious activities in Gene’s death in a news release. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stressed that there were “no apparent signs of foul play” at the scene.” Nonetheless, he agreed that the circumstances of the actor’s death were “unusual.”
An affidavit for a search warrant written by a sheriff’s deputy shed more light on the tragic incident. Gene and his wife were found dead in different rooms, while one of their dogs was discovered deceased in a closet. Cops found the Superman actor dressed in sweatpants and a blue T-shirt, with a cane and sunglasses adjacent to him.
Meanwhile, his over-a-decade wife was found in a bathroom near an open bottle of pills with capsules scattered about. The bodies reportedly showed “obvious signs of death” that suggested they may have been dead for some time. These symptoms, per PEOPLE, included “mummification” and bloating.
Could Gene Hackman Have Died From Inhaling Toxic Fumes?
Before the latest update in Gene’s case, We covered his family’s thoughts on his cause of death. One of the late entertainer’s daughters, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, shared her thoughts on the incident with sources. She revealed the Hackman family suspected carbon monoxide poisoning was at play.
Whether toxic fumes played a role in the incident remains unconfirmed. However, reports noted gas company and fire department personnel ensured toxic fumes did not endanger deputies during their search. Nonetheless, the possibility sparked numerous comments from heartbroken fans. Many lamented Gene’s possible passing by carbon monoxide poisoning, with someone writing:
“So sad. With all the carbon monoxide testing in our homes, this should not happen.”
Another echoed similar sentiments, labeling toxic fumes “the silent killer.” Gene took his final breath at 95, while his wife passed away at 64. The couple were married for over 30 years, tying the knot in 1991. The late TV personality welcomed two daughters and a son with his first wife, the late Faye Maltese.
What will the investigation into Gene Hackman’s cause of death unveil? We’ll have more for you in the coming days.
