The 'Real Reason' Why Gene Hackman Couldn't 'Call for Help' After Wife Betsy Arakawa's Death

A close friend of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has revealed why the late actor was unable to call for help after his wife's death.

It comes after recent investigations confirmed that Arakawa died of a flu-like infection on February 11, while Hackman passed away a week later due to heart disease.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were discovered on February 26 by a maintenance worker who also made the 911 call to alert authorities about the tragedy.

On February 26, the world received the tragic news of the deaths of veteran actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

At the time, the circumstances surrounding their passing were unclear, but recent revelations have now confirmed that Arakawa died first, with Hackman following a week later due to unrelated causes.

Since then, questions have arisen as to why Hackman was unable to call for help after his wife's death—a call that might have also prevented his own passing.

A close friend of the couple, Tom Allin, has now revealed that this was impossible because Hackman did not own a phone and was "uninterested in technology," per the Daily Mail.

"This is so sad. Mrs Hackman died, and Gene was so far advanced with his Alzheimer's that he was wandering around and didn't eat," an insider said, hinting at Hackman's debilitating illness, which was also a "significant factor" in his death.

They added, "If he didn't have a phone he couldn't have called for help, even if he'd wanted to."

The revelation comes after New Mexico officials announced on Friday that Betsy Arakawa died of a rat-borne virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, on February 11.

The rare infectious disease typically begins with flu-like symptoms and rapidly progresses to a severe condition affecting the lungs and heart.

Meanwhile, Gene Hackman is believed to have died on February 18 due to severe heart disease after living with Alzheimer's for years. The couple was found dead in separate rooms of their $3.8 million Santa Fe home on February 26.

Their dog, Zinna, was also found dead in a crate when the Hackmans' bodies were discovered by maintenance worker Jesse Kesler. The late couple owned two other dogs, who were found roaming freely when authorities arrived.

Following investigations into their deaths, the demise of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa was ruled as natural. Authorities also confirmed there were no signs of internal or external trauma that might have suggested foul play.

TMZ obtained the audio of the 911 call that led to the discovery of the couple's bodies by police officers.

According to the news outlet, a maintenance worker could be heard frantically telling the dispatcher that he had seen two bodies that weren't moving, pleading for help to be sent to the actor's Santa Fe mansion in New Mexico.

The maintenance worker, who is believed to be Jesse Kesler, reportedly became tearful as they shouted "Damn" several times during the call.

The caller is said to have stood outside and looked through a window while reporting the incident to the dispatcher.

At a point, he noted that "[it's] a female and a male probably. I don't know, sir. Just send somebody up here really quick."

Gene Hackman's daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, and granddaughter, Annie, mourn their loss in a statement to People Magazine.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy," they told the outlet.

"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."

Hackman also received tributes from veteran actors like Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman.

"There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note," Eastwood wrote. "He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much."

Freeman remarked, "One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of course... Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend."

Over two decades ago, Hackman retired from acting, leaving a stellar career behind that included features in classics like "Mississippi Burning," "The Birdcage," "The Royal Tenenbaums," and "The French Connection," which won him his first Oscar.

Since then, the actor and his wife largely stayed off the grid, opting for a quieter life away from Hollywood and its events. However, he occasionally appeared in paparazzi photos while cycling or running errands.

Hackman was last seen in public in March 2024. At the time, he was walking with a cane and holding his wife's hand for support