Gene Hackman's wife hadn't checked in on dementia-ridden mom for months before couple was found dead
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: The shocking deaths of Gene Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 64, have left Hollywood reeling, and now an exclusive report by the Daily Mail claims the classical pianist had not contacted her mother, Yoshie Feaster, for four months before her death, which left the 91-year-old's longtime housekeeper deeply concerned.
The veteran actor and his wife were found dead, along with their dog, in their $3.8 million Santa Fe mansion on Wednesday, February 26.
Betsy Arakawa's mother's housekeeper grew concerned as she stopped calling
Yoshie Feaster, who resides in Hawaii, had always received regular monthly phone calls from her daughter Betsy Arakawa, as per the outlet.
However, concerns began to grow when Betsy’s calls suddenly stopped. Keiko, Feaster's longtime housekeeper, revealed that Arakawa hadn’t checked in with her mother for the past four months.
"Betsy hadn't called her mother in months. She usually called every one or two months. Last time she called was October. We were thinking, what happened?" Keiko shared.
The 91-year-old was informed by New Mexico police of her daughter’s death on Wednesday.
Due to her dementia, Feaster has already forgotten the heartbreaking news. Keiko explained, "She talked to a New Mexico policeman the other day. But she has dementia so she forgot already. I feel so sorry for her. She was very upset. But right now she's kind of normal."
Keiko also revealed that Arakawa had no other surviving close relatives.
Arakawa family rep expresses condolences, says they don't want to make any comments right now
A representative for the Arakawa family stated that they have expressed their condolences to the Hackman family during this difficult time.
Chris Fitzhenry, the spokesperson, shared, "The family over here doesn't want to make any comments right now. They're going through grief. Of course, we give our condolences to Gene's children and his family. But this is a very private moment. Yoshie, Gene, Betsy, they were all very private people."
He concluded, "The best way we can honor them right now is to not speak out until the family has had time to breathe and accept the reality of the situation."
Hackman was found dead in the mudroom of the Santa Fe home. His cane and sunglasses were found on the floor, suggesting he may have fallen before his death.
Arakawa's body was discovered on a bathroom floor, and the couple's German shepherd was found dead in a nearby closet. Notably, reports confirmed that two other dogs were found alive in the house.
The couple's bodies reportedly had signs of mummification. This preservation of their skin and tissue is likely due to the cool, dry winter climate of Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza said on Friday that Hackman's pacemaker was last active on February 17, which means the actor may have been lying dead for nine days before his body was discovered by the authorities.
While foul play has seemingly been ruled out, a search warrant released on Thursday describes the deaths as "suspicious."
