Authorities are continuing to investigate the “suspicious” death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa. And now, one of the couple’s longtime friends is sharing a pretty telling truth about their lifestyle in their final years together.
The couple was found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26 alongside one of their dogs in what detectives have called “suspicious” circumstances, although foul play is not suspected.
Since then, investigators have determined that their deaths likely happened nearly a week before their bodies were found and have been working to determine how the couple died, but the investigation remains open and there have not been many answers.
With the investigation ongoing, one of the couple’s longtime friends recently spoke to Fox News Digital and shared some details about what the couple’s life looked like in their final years.
Andy Wells is a retired military pilot and flight instructor who first met the couple back in 1987. While their relationship began with Wells simply giving them instruction, it eventually developed into a friendship, becoming “tennis buddies” and getting together at his house.
During his interview, Wells confirmed reports from other friends that Hackman had become reclusive in his later years, revealing that he had not seen Hackman for years before his death. However, he also added that he believes Arakawa had become reclusive, as well, since they did nearly everything together.
“The two of them were joined at the hip practically. So, if he became reclusive, I think she did, too,” he told Fox News Digital. “And she was very quiet. Anyway, if she went out on her own and was in the same grocery store with me, it would be easy to not see her. She was small and quiet and very, very focused. I thought she was great.”
While this doesn’t really add any clarity on how the couple passed away, it does help explain how they could have been dead nearly a week before their bodies were found. If both lived a reclusive lifestyle, it’s unlikely that anybody would have noticed them missing.
As for the circumstances of their death, investigators are still searching for answers, but authorities have obtained several pieces of evidence, recovering two cellphones, an orange prescription bottle and a 2025 planner while inspecting the residence.
