Leslie Hackman opens up about father Gene and Betsy Arakawa's sudden deaths

Leslie Hackman, the daughter of legendary actor Gene Hackman, has spoken publicly for the first time following the mysterious deaths of her father and stepmother, Betsy Arakawa.

The couple, found deceased on Wednesday at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home, were discovered by a neighbor after showing signs of decomposition. Gene, 95, and Betsy, 64, were in separate rooms, and one of their dogs was found dead alongside them. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death, though Leslie, 58, speculated that a carbon monoxide leak could have been a factor.

In an interview with DailyMail, Leslie expressed that the family was still processing the loss, adding that her father, despite his age, had been in good health. "He was very active, doing Pilates and yoga regularly," she shared. Leslie mentioned that their communication had been limited recently, as she lives in California, but everything seemed normal before their deaths.

Leslie and her sister, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, are awaiting further details from law enforcement to determine the exact circumstances of their parents' deaths. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office reported that the bodies had been undiscovered for at least a day before they were found.

Tim Hackman, Gene's nephew, also spoke to DailyMail, revealing that he learned of the deaths through Leslie. He noted that Gene had been in relatively good health and believed his aunt Betsy played a key role in maintaining his well-being. "I truly believe he made it as long as he did because of her," Tim said.

Gene Hackman, who retired from acting in 2004, had been living a reclusive life in New Mexico with Betsy, whom he married in 1991. The couple had been together for over three decades.