Gene Hackman's friend shares major bombshell after star's mysterious death

Gene Hackman's friends have addressed the Hollywood star's mysterious death after the Unforgiven actor was found dead aged 95 last week alongside his wife Betsy, 65.

Just days ago, Oscar winner Gene Hackman's body was found in his remote Sante Fe home alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog, a German Shephard. The police is currently looking into the circumstances surrounding their death, with a recent report stating that both bodies were found 'mummified' and in a state of decomposition.

In a new interview with The Sunday Times, Gene Hackman's friends have opened up about what the star was really like ahead of his tragic death - with pal Doug Lanham addressing the strange circumstances around his death.

“There’s so many pieces of the puzzle that don’t equate to who they are,” he said. Speaking about Gene and Betsy, he added: "They lived a very private life, but at the same time, once you gained their trust, it was like, get ready, the door opened.”

Meanwhile, friend Barbara Leniham spoke about the couple's caring relationship, admitting: "He probably did live a lot longer because of her care for him."

Doug added that while Betsy did police Gene's diet, he did try to sneak in the odd sweet treat. When he would catch Gene with a sticky bun, Doug said that he would ask, "Does Betsy know about this?" To which Gene would respond, putting on a tough guy voice, "You better not tell her...Don't screw with me."

Yesterday, Daniel opened up about their final meeting with the pair before their death. He told CNN's Erin Burnett on Friday night: "Last time we saw them, they were alive and well. Meanwhile, Lenihan's wife Barbara, said she had last seen Betsy a few weeks ago at a home decor shop the two had opened together."

Barbara added: "They were so delightful to be around. [I've] probably never seen a couple that got along and enjoyed each other so much."

Earlier in the week, the Sante Fe County Sheriff's office made a statement regarding the couple's death, confirming: "On February 26, 2025 at approximately 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95 and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased."

While foul play was not originally suspected as factor, the authorities later branded the deaths as "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation".