Gene Hackman’s neighbours make bombshell admission days after star found mummified

Gene Hackman’s neighbours have shared their surprise at how little they knew about the reclusive actor and his wife, even after years of living nearby.

Hollywood legend Gene and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found partially mummified at their mansion, with pills scattered across their bathroom. Police have been working relentlessly to uncover the truth behind the mysterious deaths, which also involved the passing of their dog.

After rising to fame decades ago, Gene lived a reclusive life away from the spotlight with Betsy in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following the investigation, neighbours have been asked to share any information they may have about the couple. However, many neighbours have realised they knew very little about the private couple, who kept to themselves.

Living in a secluded gated community just outside Santa Fe, residents barely caught sight of the celebrity couple. James Everett, who had owned a house next door for about five years, explained: “They have a gate, and we have a gate, and we just have never even seen each other.”

Gene Hackman’s neighbours have shared their surprise at how little they knew about the reclusive actor and his wife, even after years of living nearby

Harvey Chalker, a longtime resident told the New York Times: “He wanted to be quiet, he didn’t want to be bothered, and I don’t blame him.” Bud Hamilton, who lived next to them for nearly 20 years, admitted that despite the proximity, he and his wife had only dined with the Hackmans once in two decades. Beau Theriot, who visits his house in the area a few times a year, said: “I know there’s some nice people up there, I just don’t know them.”

A forensic expert has since shared his theory on what may have caused the deaths of the Hollywood acting legend and his wife Betsy. Earlier this week, police revealed that they had looked into the data on Gene’s pacemaker and found that the last event was recorded on February 17 – nine days before before his body was found.

Gene Hackman’s neighbours have shared their surprise at how little they knew about the reclusive actor and his wife, even after years of living nearby ( 
Image:
AP)
Now, forensic pathologist Dr Michael Baden has revealed on Fox News that the Unforgiven star’s pacemaker could be a huge clue in his mysterious death. “That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate,” he said.

“The pacemaker keeps track of the pulse, and when it gets down too low, it discharges. And that’s all in the record.” He added: “So the autopsy showed he didn’t have any injury. There was no carbon monoxide. And he had — the most common cause of death in this country — severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure perhaps, from what’s been released. So that would cause him, having cardiac arrest in the mudroom, to collapse right there.”

Gene lived a reclusive life away from the limelight ( 
Image:
AP)
Michael went onto speculate that Betsy may have died while trying to help her husband. “His wife was found in the bathroom,” Baden said. “They haven’t released the information about her findings, except that she did not have carbon monoxide in her, and that what appears to be from the scene and from what’s been said is that she found her husband in the mudroom.”

If Betsy had entered the bathroom to retrieve her husband’s blood pressure medication, she may have fallen to the floor and dropped the pills. “She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside or bleeding in the inside of the brain,” he said.

“Or that she may also, at 65, had severe heart disease and excitement can cause a trigger to the cardiac rhythm causing death under those circumstances. I think the first, that striking her head would be more common.” As for their dog, who was found dead in the bedroom closet 10-15 feet away from Betsy, Michael theorised that their pet may have died from lack of water over the nine day period.