A shocking theory about the sudden death of Gene Hackman and his wife has sent shockwaves through social media — and the claim comes from none other than actor Randy Quaid.
Randy Quaid has publicly claimed that the recent death of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, and their one dog was not due to natural causes. In a post shared on X on March 1, 2025, Randy accused unnamed individuals of staging the scene to make it appear accidental, sparking intense speculation online.
Randy’s post read, “Gene Hackman and his wife are murder victims, some [expletive] did it and staged it. Stop talking about the films he is in, this is how they get away with murdering famous people! Fake News starts generating film clips. How is it possible I know at least 6 people who have died like Carradine, Hackman, Ledger?”
The “Kingpin” actor’s statement immediately sparked widespread attention and discussion online. Many netizens reacted to Randy’s claims, sharing their thoughts on the deaths and the unusual circumstances surrounding them
One person wrote, “How do a man, his wife, AND his dog die of ‘non-suspicious’ circumstances and it ISN’T carbon monoxide.. but nobody is talking about it?! Absolutely INSANE!”
Another commented, “Nobody dies with their dog in a closet… you are 100% correct in that. And what are the odds all three die at the same time? Zero.” A different reader agreed, writing, “That’s exactly how it happens.”
However, not everyone supported jumping to conclusions. Yet another netizen cautioned, “There are lots of things that could have happened. Let the police do their work without you jumping to conclusions before the autopsies are even done.”
Two-time Academy Award winner Gene and his wife, Betsy, spent more than 30 years together, living a quiet life away from Hollywood’s spotlight. Their sudden deaths have raised questions that remain unanswered.
The legendary actor and his wife were found deceased inside their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025. After years spent valuing privacy and simplicity, the circumstances surrounding their deaths have now become the center of a growing investigation.
Gene, born Eugene Allen Hackman on January 30, 1930, in San Bernardino, California, became one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
After serving in the US Marines, he pursued acting, eventually gaining recognition for his role as Buck Barrow in “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967).
His performance in “The French Connection” (1971) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, cementing his place in film history.
Gene’s most notable works include “The Poseidon Adventure” (1972), “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Superman” (1978), “Unforgiven” (1992), and “Crimson Tide” (1995).
His versatility allowed him to move seamlessly between drama, comedy, and action, making him a household name for decades.
Alongside his successful career, Gene shared his life with his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Betsy, born on December 15, 1959, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was known for appearing on “Card Sharks” and at prestigious shows, including the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
The couple lived privately in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they both recently passed away.
Initial findings from preliminary autopsies showed that there was “no external trauma to either individual,” according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
Gene and Betsy were discovered in their New Mexico home alongside their deceased dog. Authorities have not yet determined the manner or cause of their deaths.
Official autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending, and carbon monoxide tests were also requested for both.
While foul play is not currently suspected, investigators have not ruled it out entirely. According to the affidavit for a search warrant, the circumstances were considered suspicious enough to warrant a thorough search and investigation.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed no signs of forced entry, struggle, or theft were found at the scene. The couple also appeared to have been deceased for several days before they were found.
Betsy’s body was discovered in a bathroom, lying on the ground near an open bottle of prescription pills. A space heater was found nearby, and the couple’s dog was found dead inside the bathroom closet.
Gene’s body was located in another room near the kitchen, where investigators believed he may have suddenly collapsed.
The bodies were first discovered by a caretaker, who placed a 911 call shortly before 2 p.m. local time on Wednesday, February 26.
Emotional and distressed, the caller told dispatchers they could see two unresponsive people through the window but could not enter the house.
Investigators reported that the home’s front door was open and unsecured, with no immediate evidence of carbon monoxide or natural gas leaks.
The search warrant also permitted law enforcement to look for combustible materials, controlled substances, weapons, and other potential evidence.
The final medical examiner’s reports are expected to take four to six weeks to complete, according to the New Mexico medical investigator’s office.
Authorities emphasized that they are handling the case with caution to ensure all facts are properly documented before any conclusions are made.
While foul play is not officially suspected, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being called “mysterious.”
Investigators noted visible signs of decomposition, including facial bloating and mummification of both Gene’s and Betsy’s hands and feet.
Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained that mummification typically begins more than two weeks after death, raising further questions about how long the couple may have been deceased before they were found.
Forensic pathologist Judy Melinek said the visible mummification strongly indicated that both individuals had been dead for several days at the minimum.
She also emphasized that investigators needed to examine key timelines — such as the last time mail was collected or when the couple last communicated with friends or family — to build a clearer picture of their final days.
Judy added that the autopsy results could be crucial in answering these questions.
Further complicating the timeline, data retrieved from Gene’s pacemaker provided critical insight. According to Sheriff Adan, the pacemaker recorded Gene’s “last event” on February 17, suggesting he likely died nine days before his body was discovered.
As part of their investigation, authorities removed several items from the couple’s home.
The inventory list included two green cell phones, a monthly planner for 2025, and three medications: a thyroid medication, Diltiazem — typically used to treat high blood pressure — and Tylenol.
Investigators also collected records from MyQuest, a medical diagnostics service.
After a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Gene officially stepped away from acting, confirming his retirement in a 2008 interview with Reuters. He stated, “I’m not going to act any longer.”
