The death of 95-year-old Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his 65-year-old wife, professional pianist Betsy Arakawa, reveals disturbing details about their final days. According to the investigation, the couple was the subject of a mysterious pursuit by an unknown man who had been following them for months.
According to a close family friend, Betsy's personal hairdresser Christopher, she repeatedly expressed her concerns about a suspicious man who was watching them. The first incident was registered in December, when Betsy noticed a car parked in front of the gate of their home in Santa Fe. A short time later, the same man followed them as they drove to White Rock for lunch, accompanying them all the way from the parking lot of their gated community to their final destination.
"She was very scared and exhausted from what was happening. The strangest thing was that the security guard at the community had no idea how this man managed to get in," Christopher said.
When he tried to approach the stranger and ask why he was following them, the man explained that he had a folder of photos of Hackman and wanted an autograph. "Betsy said to him, ‘You need to be more respectful,’’’, the hairdresser recalls.
But the story doesn't end there. On another occasion, the man followed them again, this time trying to offer them a bottle of wine. "I said, ‘Oh my God, this is crazy. Betsy shouldn't have gone near that person.’ I was nervous and scared," Christopher told the Daily Mail.
On February 26, the bodies of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found in separate parts of their home. The actor was found in the hallway, and his wife - in the bathroom. An investigation found that Hackman died around February 18 from severe heart disease, aggravated by advanced Alzheimer's disease. Betsy Arakawa fell victim to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - a rare disease caused by contact with infected rodents.
There were no signs of forced entry into the home, valued at $ 3.3 million, but the mystery surrounding their final days remains. Even their dogs were found dead, adding more questions to the tragic story.
Last week, a New Mexico judge issued a temporary restraining order against the distribution of photos and videos from the actor's home after the tragedy. At the same time, a legal battle is expected between Hackman's children over his multi-million dollar fortune, as Betsy is named as the primary heir in his will.
While the official version points to natural causes for the couple's deaths, many still wonder - who was the mysterious stalker and what was his real role in this sinister story?