Friends of Gene Hackman and wife say couple were ‘alive and well’ in recent meeting

As authorities investigate the causes of deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, close and longtime friends of the couple say they seemed to be in good health at their most recent encounter.

Daniel Lenihan says the last time they saw them, they were alive and well.

Barbara, Lenihan’s wife, said that she had last seen Arakawa a few weeks ago at a home décor shop the two had opened together in Santa Fe and frequently spoke.

Barbara says they were so delightful to be around,”, adding how proud Hackman and Arakawa were of each other.

She says because of health concerns following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lenihans had seen less of the couple recently,

Barbara says Arakawa took extra precautions such as masking to ensure that her husband wouldn’t get sick, they said.

Like many others, the Lenihans are waiting for answers about what led to their friends’ deaths, after Hackman, Arakawa and one of their dogs were found dead in their secluded Santa Fe home this week.

Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were discovered by maintenance workers at their home Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff’s office affidavit for a search warrant obtained by CNN affiliate KOAT states.

The couple’s bodies were found in separate rooms – Hackman was found on the ground near the kitchen, while Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom, with scattered pills next to her, according to the sheriff’s office.

A German shepherd dog, who was kept in a crate, was also found dead in the bathroom, the affidavit said.

Two other dogs were found on the property alive and in good condition.

While investigators have not yet determined whether Hackman and Arakawa died at the same time, data from Hackman’s pacemaker shows he was likely dead for nine days before.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said at a Friday news conference the pacemaker shows Hackman’s “last event” was recorded on February 17.

Mendoza says according to the pathologist, that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life,” the sheriff said.

Arakawa’s body meanwhile “showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet,” the affidavit states.

[Source: CNN]