The daughter of Gene Hackman Leslie broke her silence after the mysterious death of her father in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
The 95-year-old actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead on Wednesday in separate rooms of their $ 3.8 million Santa Fe, New Mexico house.
A neighbor of the couple mentioned emergency services after discovering the bodies.
One of their three dogs was found dead in the house, while two others were found alive.
One of the three children of Gene, Leslie Anne Hackman, told DailyMail.com on Thursday that the family is waiting to hear of law enforcement with regard to the cause of death, since the death of the couple remains a mystery.
Leslie and her sister, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, can only speculate that their father and stepmother – together with one of their dogs – may have been killed by inhaling poisonous vapors as a result of a leak of carbon monoxide.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (depicted in 1991) were found dead on Wednesday 26 February in their Mansion in Santa Fe
The daughter of Gene Hackman Leslie broke her silence after the mysterious death of her father in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com (depicted in 1991)
Leslie, 58, said that the family still processed what happened, because there was no indication that there was a problem with her father prior to his death.
“Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” she revealed, adding that her father had no major operations in recent months.
'He enjoyed doing Pilates and Yoga, and he kept doing that several times a week. So he was in good health. '
She further said that his death “was not very shocking because he was 95.”
Since she lives in California, she said it has been a 'few months' since she had last seen and even heard from her withdrawn father, even though they were close by.
“We were close by. I had not spoken to them for a few months, but everything was normal and everything was good, “she shared.
The family is still waiting to hear from the police exactly what happened and when they died since the office of the Santa Fe County Sheriff said that their bodies had been in their house for at least one day before delegates died. An arrest warrant obtained by DailyMail.com revealed that both bodies were found with signs of decomposition.
Gene and Betsy married in 1991 and married 34 years before their tragic dead.
Gene and daughter Elizabeth in March 1979 in Beverly Hills, California
The Hollywood legend, 95, was at Betsy Arakawa (depicted in 2003), more than 30 years his junior, since 1991
The Superman star was married to first wife Faye Maltese, a bank clerk, from 1956 to 1986. They shared three children – Christopher Allen, now 65, Elizabeth Jean, 62 and Leslie Anne.
Leslie told DailyMail.com that Gene and Betsy had 'a wonderful marriage'.
“They had a great marriage. And I give the honor to his wife, Betsy, because he kept him alive, “she said.
'[Betsy] Very, very good for him and always looked forward to his health.
“So I appreciate her for that, and I am very sad because of her death.”
Leslie said she is going to New Mexico as soon as she hears from the police.
'We have to wait and know what information is from the police. We did not expect that we had to go outside and go through the house and so on, “she shared.
'So we cut some work for us. But yes, we go to New Mexico. '
In the meantime, Gene's Neef, Tim Hackman, also on Thursday, also exclusively with DailyMail.com.
Gene and his children during the premiere of Superman in Washington, DC in December 1978
In October 1996, Elizabeth and Leslie were photographed with their father at the premiere of the Chamber in Beverly Hills
Leslie told DailyMail.com that her father was in excellent condition before his death and 'liked Pilates and Yoga'
He revealed that he and his family had discovered the death of his uncle and Betsy by Leslie – who, according to him, was the only family member who had the most contact with Gene and Betsy – before the news came out.
Tim, 51, said he found out on Wednesday evening and was sad to hear that Gene had no natural death.
“I mean, he was old. I'm sure he had one [health] concern, but nothing that was shared, “he answered when he was asked if his uncle had great health problems.
Tim's mother Barbara Hackman was married to Richard Hackman, Gene's brother. Richard, who was a stuntman of Gene, died 11 years ago.
The last time Tim saw that Gene was at his father's funeral, he revealed.
'Eleven years ago was the last time I saw him physically. He only came to California during the warm weather conditions, and then he just stayed in New Mexico. '
Although it is more than ten years ago, Mr. Hackman said he would not say that the Bonnie and Clyde star of his family was 'alienated'.
“He loved New Mexico. He thought it was great. It is a beautiful place, “he told DailyMail.com.
Santa Fe County representatives were photographed outside Betsy and Gene's house in Santa Fe on Thursday while continuing to investigate the cause of death
Leslie and Elizabeth have speculated that their father and stepmother may have been killed by breathing in toxic fumes as a result of a leak of carbon monoxide
The majority of his communication with his uncle was through Betsy, with whom he would 'occasionally' talk, because Gene was at the age where he was not really much communicative with the family. '
He continued: 'I actually just gave her updates about my children and how they were doing and how I was doing, because our most important connection was the military background, but that was real.
“She would always say:” Oh, [Gene’s] do well. “I mean, he moved around a lot before 95.”
Betsy was ultimately the one who 'cared for him'.
“I really believe he made it as long as he did because of her,” Tim was full.
Given the 31-year-old age difference of Betsy and Gene, the family had 'prepared' that the actor would first die and that his wife would take over the funeral schemes.
After the shocking death of the couple, Tim said that the plan has clearly changed.
'So the preparedness of it was that he would go first and that we probably, perhaps, depending on what it was [Betsy] Had set up, went there and our condolences and paying for everything.
Hackman played Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (depicted in the 1968 film)
Hackman also played Detective Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle in the French connection
'Now it changes things considerably. I have no idea what – I assume one of his children will probably take over – and [plan]. Don't know. It is still very, very early. '
Last year Hackman and Arakawa were seen for the first time in two decades from and around.
The actor was seen holding on to the arm of his wife for balance when the couple grabbed a bite in Pappadeaux's Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Before dinner, Hackman enjoyed a cup of coffee and some apple pie from a local Speedway store.
The couple's outing was the first time that they were seen together in public for 21 years, with the last time at the Golden Globe Awards 2003, where he won the Cecil B. Demille Award.
In an interview with Empire in 2020, the retired actor revealed that he enjoyed watching DVDs that Arakawa rented. He said: 'We love simple stories that some of the small low-budget films manage to produce in it.
'Friday evening will be reserved for a comedy channel marathon, with special attention paid to Eddie Izzard. The speed of thinking is great. '
