Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa was so determined to protect her husband that she kept him isolated in their Santa Fe home, a friend has claimed

Theories surrounding the death of Gene Hackman and his wife have emerged since their deaths

A new theory has surfaced regarding the tragic deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa. The late couple were found dead in their Santa Fe residence on February 26. While the causes of death have been revealed – Hackman suffering from advanced dementia and severe heart disease, and Arakawa, 65, succumbing to a rare disease known as Hantavirus – a close friend has offered a different perspective on their passing.

Initially, mystery surrounded Betsy and Gene’s death after the couple were found at their home partially mummified surrounded by pills. But the Sheriff’s office later ruled out any foul play and external trauma surrounding their deaths. Tom Allin, 75, Hackman’s business partner and long-time friend, has since said: “I don’t think she allowed anybody in the house, especially in the last six months. But she was little. If he fell, she would have a hard time lifting him.”

Allin further suggested that Betsy was so protective of her ailing husband that she kept him isolated, despite their substantial $80 million fortune which could have easily covered round-the-clock live-in care. He stated: “She was going to do everything to protect him until he passed away. But she didn’t expect to pass away first,” speculating that “if Betsy’s absolute goal of privacy ended up not being helpful at all.’ He added that the former classical pianist was determined to do everything herself, a mistake that may have proved fatal.

Gene and Betsy were found dead at their home in Santa Fe(Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

The couple were found partially mummified(Image: WireImage)

Allin’s harrowing theory, which he shared with the New York Times is that Betsy’s determination to protect her husband may have inadvertently caused her dear husband’s demise, as he didn’t stand a chance at survival following her death.Santa Fe sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed last week that it seemed likely that Hackman may have been alive for up to seven days after Arakawa passed away, and may have been so confused he did not realise she was dead.

Arakawa was confirmed to have died on February 11, after her mummified remains were found on the bathroom floor surrounded by pills and a space heater.Hackman was found on the mudroom, with his pacemaker confirmed to have stopped on February 18. His stomach was empty, suggesting he hadn’t eaten at all in the week following his wife’s death.Another friend has concurred with Allin’s theory, as they added that their huge Santa Fe home was ” He added that the former classical pianist was adamant about handling everything herself, a decision that may have had fatal consequences.

According to Allin’s chilling theory, Betsy’s fierce determination to shield her husband might have unintentionally led to his downfall, as he was left helpless following her untimely death. Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe revealed disconcerting details last week, indicating that Hackman could have survived up to a week after Arakawa’s death, possibly in such a state of confusion that he did not realise his wife had passed away.

Arakawa’s demise was ascertained to have occurred on February 11, after her mummified body was discovered in the bathroom with pills and a space heater nearby. Hackman, on the other hand, was found in the mudroom, with records showing his pacemaker ceased functioning on February 18. Indications from an empty stomach suggest he might not have eaten since his spouse’s death.

Corroborating with an earlier theory by friend Allin, another pal confirmed the state of neglect within their expansive Santa Fe property, describing it as “a mess”. They expressed their shock at the conditions: “The inside of the house was shocking. They didn’t have a housekeeper or a maid, so it had beautiful things – furniture and paintings – but there was dog poop on the floor.”

Elaborating on the extent of the squalor, they added, “Some of the poop had been there for a while and was covered in newspaper. The inside of the house was bad. Nothing had been dusted. There was nothing in the fridge.” These revelations about faeces within the dwelling could account for the potential presence of Hantavirus, which is transmitted by rodents like rats and mice, and can be contracted through interactions with their urine, droppings, and saliva.