The recent release of images and video footage paints a woeful picture of the concluding days at the residence of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. The couple, aged 95 and 65, were discovered lifeless in their domicile in New Mexico in February, following increasing apprehension from a service worker. This series of visuals, shared by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, present an initial glimpse of the law enforcement officers’ encounter inside the dwelling on Tuesday.
The video documents the officers traversing different quarters within the house, culminating in the heart-wrenching sight of one of the couple’s canine companions sitting next to the departed Arakawa. Shortly thereafter, the sight that meets the officials’ eyes is that of Hackman’s remains near the cooking area. A distressing picture of human wastes left neglected in the bathroom fixtures further emphasizes a sense of abandonment.
Another troubling sight for the authorities was a blood-covered cushion in one of the couple’s sleeping chambers. The house also had storage areas teeming with heaps of disordered clothing. Overwhelmed by clutter, even the dwelling’s bathtub seemed to have transformed into a hub for haphazard accumulation.
A walk through various sections of the edifice shed more light on its disarrayed condition. Severe cluttering made it nearly impossible to navigate some of the rooms. The generally disarrayed state suggests a significantly neglected household.
Detailed reports from the New Mexico Department of Public Health hinted at an alarming rodent infestation within the couples’ living vicinity. Traces of multiple deceased rodents and their habitats were reportedly scattered across their estate. The primary living quarters, however, displayed no evidence of rodent presence.
An unsettling discovery was the amalgamation of human and canine medications found scrambled in a drawer. The police also disclosed details of Arakawa’s internet search history before her untimely demise. Surprisingly, her queries were predominantly directed towards symptoms of the novel Coronavirus.
Arakawa’s cause of death was concluded to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a flu-esque condition generally derived from exposure to rodent feces. On the other hand, Hackman’s life was said to have been claimed by a lethal combination of cardiac disease, increased blood pressure, and severe Alzheimer’s disease.
The estate was found to have been the epicenter of a rat infestation, further emphasizing on the previously cited health reports. Adding to the tragedy, one of their three dogs named Zinna, was discovered lifeless inside a caged enclosure, with the Santa Fe County animal control indicating possible dehydration and starvation as likely causes.
The year 1991 marks the beginning of Hackman and Arakawa’s marital journey. As an industry veteran, Hackman has earned his place as one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, with his impeccable performances in recognized films like The French Connection and The Royal Tenenbaums.
Arakawa, a gifted classical pianist, was known to share the stage with the esteemed Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Their talents spanned across diverse fields, etching them deep into the hearts of many. Despite the couple’s accomplishments in their respective domains, their final days hint at a somber state of affairs.
Very recently, it has been reported that the couple were honored in a private memorial service on Tuesday. The intimate gathering was attended by their immediate family members, commemorating the lives of the fallen stars.
Reports of the couple’s final rest came to the forefront, completing their journey from life to eternity. As the curtains were drawn on their earthly existence, their memories have been etched in the hearts of many, their lives celebrated and their passing mourned.