Celebrity deaths

Gene Hackman's nephew speaks up about the actor's suspicious death

Hackman was found dead with his wife on February 26

Senior Writer

MARCH 6, 2025 9:07 PM ESTMAR 6, 2025, 9:07 PM EST

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's death have left the entertainment community rattled. Over the past few days, reports have come out that have resulted in many questions from loved ones and spectators, with many speculating on the cause of death of the couple, who were found dead in their homes alongside one of their dogs.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home in Santa Fe

Hackman's family members have encouraged people to avoid speculation and to keep calm. "We're waiting on toxicology. That will tell us everything," said Tim Hackman to US Weekly.

"It's hard to theorize. There are a lot of theories out there and I don't want to speculate. It's easy to speculate negative theories."

He continued to say that the family was trying to stay as positive as possible. "The family wants to keep it positive for now and when we know the truth we will deal with it."

Hackman was a beloved actor, with his death rattling the entertainment industry

Why the case is prompting so many questions?

Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their home in Santa Fe. According to the local police department, the death was deemed suspicious after police officers found the front door of the home "unsecured and opened."

The police report read: "Deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom."

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has been providing updates to the public regarding Hackman's death

They noted that there were "no obvious signs of gas leak."

Earlier this week, Tim Hackman addressed his uncle's death in a press conference, encouraging further investigation. "My uncle was 95 years old at an age where you think about 'Ok, it's time.' But from the circumstances now things have changed a bit. It's a major change."

Following Hackman's death, many of his coworkers and family members have shared moving tributes. "He was one of the four actors on my Mount Rushmore," wrote the filmmaker and actor Ben Stiller in a touching piece published in The New York Times.

"When Gene Hackman said something onscreen, you believed him."