Obituaries for 2025

[Gefn]

Legendary actor Gene Hackman, wife Betsy and dog found dead inside New Mexico home: police

Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has been found dead in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home alongside his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, citing police.

Santa Fe County police discovered the body of the two-time Oscar winner, 95, and 63-year-old Arakawa — his wife of 34 years — and their dog on Wednesday afternoon.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the news on Thursday, saying no foul play is suspected.

No cause of death has been announced at this time.

https://nypost.com/2025/02/27/entertainment/gene-hackman-and-wife-betsy-found-dead-in-new-mexico-home-police/

[Gefn]

Legendary actor Gene Hackman, wife Betsy and dog found dead inside New Mexico home: police



https://nypost.com/2025/02/27/entertainment/gene-hackman-and-wife-betsy-found-dead-in-new-mexico-home-police/

Very strange. Rest in peace-

[Sighlass]

Very strange. Rest in peace-

Strange indeed, probable murder/suicide or robbery...

“This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

Something was foul, husband,wife and dog dead?

[Gefn]

Strange indeed, probable murder/suicide or robbery...

Something was foul, husband,wife and dog dead?

@Sighlass

The News wires are saying it was natural- I’m thinking maybe some type of carbon monoxide accident?
Or something like that?
It’s sad . He was a very talented actor.

[deb]

@Sighlass

The News wires are saying it was natural- I’m thinking maybe some type of carbon monoxide accident?
Or something like that?
It’s sad . He was a very talented actor.

That was my initial thought - carbon monoxide. Sad news. I enjoyed his work immensely. RIP

[mountaineer]

A tremendous actor. How sad.

[240B]

Was Gene Hackman tragedy a terrible accident... or something else? Police say 'exact cause of death is unknown' as mystery grows

Daily Mail
By RORY TINGLE and PERKIN AMALARAJ and NATASHA ANDERSON
27 February 2025



Mystery surrounds the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead at their home with their beloved dog.   

Officers found Hackman, 95, Arakawa, 64, and the pet dead when they performed a welfare check at their Santa Fe home around 1.45pm.

County Sheriff's deputies said they 'do not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths' but the 'exact cause of death has not been determined'.

While public attention will focus on Hackman and Arakawa, officers are likely to include the dog in their investigation to help them piece together their last moments.

County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that officials are 'in the middle of a preliminary death investigation' and 'waiting on approval of a search warrant'.

Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner with an estimated net worth of $80million, became something of a recluse in his final years and was rarely seen in public.

The actor was known to be fond of dogs, and rescued two stray German Shepherds that wandered into a stadium in Baltimore where they were filming scenes for The Replacements in 1999.

Hackman named one of the dogs Gene and the other Keanu, after his co-star Keanu Reeves. He later visited the animals in a shelter and adopted Gene after flying his own German Shepherds from New Mexico to see if they would get along.

Taking to X, one person claiming to be a vet said: 'I was on critical care late one night my senior year of veterinary school at Colorado State when Gene Hackman and his wife showed up with their elderly sick dog. They had driven eight hours to get the best care for their dog. He seemed like a pretty devoted dog lover to me.'

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14442307/How-Gene-Hackmans-dog-key-mystery-death-Oscar-winner-wife-Betsy-Arakawa.html

[Mod2]

Merged topics on Hackman's death.

[Lando Lincoln]

Surely there is more to the story. Mr. Hackman was an all-time great.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Merged topics on Hackman's death.

Why doesn't Hackman's death deserve a thread separate from an annual list of all deaths?  @Mod2

[Free Vulcan]

Don't need to say anything about Gene Hackman, he pretty much said it himself. Unbelievably talented actor.

Did no realize he was almost 100 years old.

[Wingnut]

Surely there is more to the story. Mr. Hackman was an all-time great.

Maybe it was carbon monoxide poisoning?

[mountaineer]

Maybe it was carbon monoxide poisoning?

That's what Gene's daughter suspects: https://t.co/tDpFxp9KLo  (NY Post).

[mystery-ak]

Maybe it was carbon monoxide poisoning?

That's what I am guessing....

[mystery-ak]

Disturbing way Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's bodies were found revealed by sheriff
Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their New Mexico home.

The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found dead in separate bedrooms of their Santa Fe home, police revealed. One of their three dogs was also found dead inside a kennel.

Police have said that no foul play is suspected and that two dogs survived the triple tragedy.

While the bodies were found Wednesday afternoon, police were not able to identify them as the actor and Arakawa until Thursday morning, according to KOB 4.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza did not provide a cause of death, nor did he say when the couple might have died, when asked by local media.

Further updates on the shocking triple tragedy are expected later on Thursday.

Search warrant reveals bodies of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were 'mummified'

The search warrant for Gene Hackman's home reveals disturbing new details about how police believe he and his wife Betsy died. Among the many bombshells are the facts that;

Betsy was found in the bathroom surrounded by pills
    Gene was found in the mudroom off the kitchen. He is believed to have fallen
    The dog was found in a bathroom closet
    There were no signs of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning
    Bodies found by two maintenance workers. They are believed to have been dead for two weeks

more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14442091/gene-hackman-besty-arkwawa-dead-latest-updates.html

[verga]

@Sighlass

The News wires are saying it was natural- I’m thinking maybe some type of carbon monoxide accident?
Or something like that?
It’s sad . He was a very talented actor.

My initial thought when they said no foul play. Very sad. I think I liked every movie I saw him in. RIP

[Polly Ticks]

Disturbing way Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's bodies were found revealed by sheriff
Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their New Mexico home.

OMG, that's awful.

[Timber Rattler]

Sounds like the local authorities have changed their minds about "no foul play," and in fact, the way the bodies were laying when found suggests that they might have been murdered, along with the dog, while the two other ones survived.

[Timber Rattler]

Boris Spassky (1937-2025) Chess World Champion and Legendary Grandmaster

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Chess-legend-Boris-Spassky-dies-at-88/63623923

The European Chess Union mourns the loss of Boris Vasilievich Spassky, the tenth World Chess Champion, who passed away on February 27, 2025, at the age of 87. A towering figure in chess history, Spassky’s legacy spans decades of extraordinary achievements and contributions to the royal game.

(snip)

Spassky will forever be remembered as one half of the historic 1972 World Championship match against Bobby Fischer, dubbed “The Match of the Century.” This contest, set against the backdrop of the Cold War, transcended chess to become a cultural phenomenon that captured global attention.

His elegant playing style, characterized by universal and harmonious play, made him one of the most respected and admired players in chess history. Spassky’s contributions to chess theory and his sporting attitude at the board set a standard for generations of players to follow.

Beyond his competitive achievements, Spassky was known for his gentlemanly demeanor and wit, making him a beloved figure in the chess community. His legacy includes numerous brilliant games that continue to inspire chess players worldwide.

EXCERPT

Bobby Fischer's old Soviet rival from the early 1970s.

[Gefn]

Boris Spassky (1937-2025) Chess World Champion and Legendary Grandmaster

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Chess-legend-Boris-Spassky-dies-at-88/63623923

EXCERPT

Bobby Fischer's old Soviet rival from the early 1970s.

Didn't he also play against Big Blue ? @Timber Rattler

[Sighlass]

Sounds like the local authorities have changed their minds about "no foul play," and in fact, the way the bodies were laying when found suggests that they might have been murdered, along with the dog, while the two other ones survived.

Yeah, not CO2 in blood, and now pills scattered across a counter has police rethinking/looking at some things. If died at different times, something is fishy.

pills specifically, noting that they were Tylenol as well as medications related to thyroid and high-blood pressure.

Could she of discovered Gene on floor fallen and needing meds ... not exactly the stuff you use to poison, but the dog dying is odd... did she die of a heart attack and one dog starve? Nothing stolen they can tell... door was open/ajar?

He was in bad shape, she could of died first and he just starved to death. Who knows.

[libertybele]

Yeah, not CO2 in blood, and now pills scattered across a counter has police rethinking/looking at some things. If died at different times, something is fishy.

Could she of discovered Gene on floor fallen and needing meds ... not exactly the stuff you use to poison, but the dog dying is odd... did she die of a heart attack and one dog starve? Nothing stolen they can tell... door was open/ajar?

He was in bad shape, she could of died first and he just starved to death. Who knows.

This is horrible news.

I would suspect foul play as well, but I would think that an autopsy would be able to discern that -- or are the bodies too decomposed?  The two dying within days or hours of each other seems odd, then there's the dead dog too ...

[mountaineer]

Maybe she had a medical issue, tried to get to pills. He couldn't help (95 and very frail); maybe he fell trying to get to her. What was going on with the dogs is a mystery.

[Timber Rattler]

Didn't he also play against Big Blue ? @Timber Rattler

No, that was Gary Kasparov.

[mystery-ak]

Officials say actor Gene Hackman, 95, probably died days before he and his wife's bodies were found Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, N.M.

Hackman's pacemaker was last active on Feb. 17, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza said at a news conference on Friday.

The sheriff said it was "a very good assumption" Hackman died on that day, based on information from a pathologist.

A pacemaker is an implanted battery-powered medical device that helps regulate the heart's rhythm.

The deaths of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, immediately prompted suspicion, authorities said. Initial reports found no signs of forced entry, foul play, a robbery, or a carbon monoxide or other gas leak.

more
https://www.vpm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2025-02-28/gene-hackmans-pacemaker-activity-suggests-he-died-several-days-before-he-was-found