Latest news with #Diltiazem
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman Was ‘Reclusive' With ‘Slipping' Health Prior to Mystery Death
Gene Hackman had become 'reclusive' with his health 'slipping' in his final months, his friends and neighbors said over the weekend. The legendary actor—who was found dead in his New Mexico mansion on Wednesday along with his wife and a German Shepherd—had stopped riding his bike and was 'home-bound,' his pals Daniel and Barbara Lenihan told PEOPLE. Other friends confirmed to Fox News that the 95-year-old was 'slowing down' since 2020 as his age finally began to catch up with him. 'After COVID, he was more reclusive, protecting his immune system and everything else,' neighbor Stuart Ashman told the network. Word of Hackman's deteriorating health has not quelled the mystery surrounding his passing, however, as an official cause of death has yet to be determined for him or his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa. Arakawa was in 'perfect health' and 'so fit,' her pals told PEOPLE, adding that she did everything she could to keep Hackman healthy. That included keeping him on a strict diet in addition to having him complete puzzles and yoga sessions 'daily.' Arakawa, a concert pianist who married Hackman in 1991, was found lying dead in a separate room of their home, police said, with pills scattered around her body. PEOPLE reported that the mystery pills were a mixture of thyroid medication, Tylenol, and the high-blood pressure medication Diltiazem. Hackman's two daughters said last week their dad was in great health for his age. He could still walk on his own as of last spring, when he was photographed getting around town with the help of a cane. It is not clear when Arakawa or Hackman died, as cops revealed their extremities had undergone mummification by the time a neighbor called in a welfare check that led police to make their grim discovery. The local sheriff, Adan Mendoza, estimated Friday that Hackman could have been dead for as many as nine days before he was discovered. He said investigators reached that conclusion in part because his pacemaker was last operational on Feb. 17. Mendoza said it would be 'very hard' to determine which spouse died first. 'I really am puzzled by the whole thing,' Ashman told Fox News. 'You know, there's a lot of different reports coming out. It's kind of a tragic mystery in a way. And I can't really speculate on what it could have been. Certainly nothing dark there. I think it gets compounded by the fact that it was the two of them and the dog. But I don't know beyond that.' The couple had three German Shepherds. One of their canines was found dead in a kennel when police arrived last week, while the other two were moving freely around the home and its yard, as at least one door was ajar. The surviving dogs have been put in the care of Santa Fe authorities. Despite theories from Hackman's loved ones that carbon monoxide poisoning killed the couple and their pup, police said the home tested negative for the compound and that it had been ruled out as a potential cause of death. Foul play is still not expected, Mendoza said. He estimates that definitive answers may emerge in the coming weeks as autopsy and toxicology results become available.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Betsy Arakawa's Silence Raised Alarms, Family Worried After Months Without Contact
In the months leading up to the tragic deaths of and his wife, , the couple had grown increasingly distant from their loved ones, according to those close to them. A housekeeper for Betsy Arakawa's 91-year-old mother, Yoshie Feaster, claims the classical pianist had not been in contact with her dementia-stricken mother since October, sparking concern within the family. 'Betsy hadn't called her mother in months,' the housekeeper, identified only as Keiko, told the Daily Mail. 'She usually called every one or two months. Last time she called was October. We were thinking, what happened?' Arakawa and Hackman were discovered dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday. One of their dogs was also found deceased, while two others were alive. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office reported no signs of foul play, and a preliminary autopsy showed no external trauma. The couple also tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning, dismissing a theory that a gas leak may have been involved. Arakawa's body was discovered in a bathroom surrounded by scattered pills, although the exact medications have not been disclosed due to HIPAA regulations. Additional medications found at the scene included Tylenol, a thyroid medication, and Diltiazem, a drug used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Police are investigating whether medications played a role in the couple's deaths. Forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee told Page Six that the scattered pills could provide critical insights into Arakawa's health and suggested that 'the idea of suicide is always there.' She also speculated that Hackman could have died from the emotional impact of losing his wife. Hackman, whose 'last event' was recorded by his pacemaker on February 17, was found in a separate room near the kitchen. His sunglasses were found next to him, indicating he may have suffered a fall. Friends and family noted that both Hackman and Arakawa had become increasingly reclusive. Hackman's daughter, Leslie, previously admitted to Us Weekly that she hadn't spoken to her father for months and mentioned concerns about his fading memory. Newly released details surrounding the tragic deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have shed light on the harrowing moments when their bodies were discovered. The 911 call, reportedly made by a member of the maintenance crew, captures a distraught caller struggling to maintain composure, repeatedly saying "damn" as he spoke to emergency dispatchers. Authorities revealed it took approximately 12 hours to confirm the identities of Hackman and Arakawa due to the advanced state of decomposition of their bodies. Investigators believe the couple may have been deceased for over two weeks before being found in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. According to TMZ, the call was placed by a panicked male who informed dispatchers that he had seen two unresponsive bodies through a window of Hackman's mansion. Desperately urging emergency responders to hurry, the caller said, "[It's] a female and a male probably. I don't know, sir. Just send somebody up here really quick." The caller, believed to be one of the two maintenance workers, Roland Lowe Begay or Jesse Kesler, admitted he had not entered the home and could not provide details about the "patients." When questioned about their condition, he responded that he had "no idea" if Hackman and Arakawa were "awake" or "breathing." Begay and Kesler reportedly told authorities they had not seen the couple in two weeks, adding to the growing evidence that the couple may have been deceased for an extended period. Initial reports suggest that no foul play was involved, with investigators finding no signs of forced entry or external trauma. The news of Hackman's death has left Hollywood mourning the loss of one of its most cherished talents. Actor Nathan Lane, who starred alongside Hackman in "The Birdcage," paid tribute to his co-star's legacy. 'Gene Hackman was my favorite could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger,' Lane said in a statement to PEOPLE. 'It was a tremendous privilege to get to share the screen with him and remains one of my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman.' Gene Hackman's career spanned over four decades, earning him a reputation as one of the most versatile and powerful actors in Hollywood. From his Academy Award-winning roles in "The French" Connection and "Unforgiven" to his unforgettable performances in "Bonnie and Clyde" and "The Birdcage," Hackman left a lasting mark on the film industry.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman's Health In Question Before Tragic Deaths, Say Close Friends
Hollywood legend and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home last week, and close friends of the couple are now revealing concerns about Hackman's declining health in the months leading up to their passing. Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, who said they had known the couple for over 30 years, claim that Gene Hackman had become increasingly 'homebound.' Barbara Lenihan noted that she first became aware of Hackman's declining health when he 'quit riding his bike through the neighborhood' about a year ago. 'He was really slipping there,' she told PEOPLE. Her son, Aaron Lenihan, shared that Arakawa was doing everything she could to keep Hackman 'as active and engaged and healthy as possible.' The Lenihans described Arakawa as 'in perfect health' and 'so fit,' explaining that she was 'very protective of him in terms of COVID,' often wearing a mask when out in public. Another friend, Doug Lanham, told TMZ that Arakawa had maintained a 'strict diet' for Hackman, who reportedly enjoyed activities like Pilates and yoga, according to his daughter, Leslie Hackman. Leslie, one of Hackman's three children, described her father as being 'in very good physical condition' but also hinted at possible mental health concerns, telling Us Weekly that his 'memory was fading.' Adding to these concerns, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed that Hackman wore a pacemaker that tracked his 'last event' on February 17, nine days before his body was discovered. Details surrounding Arakawa's health remain limited, but a housekeeper for Arakawa's 91-year-old mother suggested that Betsy had become distant, not calling her mother since October, a significant change from her usual monthly check-ins. Photographer Mark Kreusch, who had documented Hackman's later years in Santa Fe, described the actor's life as 'happy' and centered around simple pleasures. 'I think that he loved Santa Fe,' Kreusch told PEOPLE. He recalled that one of Hackman's favorite activities was taking long drives through the remote landscapes of New Mexico. 'He would go on these long drives, like he just was clearing his mind,' Kreusch said. 'He did it kind of often.' Police found Arakawa's body on the bathroom floor, surrounded by scattered pills. Sheriff Mendoza stated that while HIPAA laws prevent the release of specific medication details, the drugs found are considered 'important evidence' in the investigation. Additional medications found in the home included Tylenol, a thyroid medication, and Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain, according to CNN. Gene Hackman was found in a separate room near the kitchen, with sunglasses nearby, suggesting he may have fallen. Preliminary autopsy results showed no signs of external trauma and ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, a theory initially considered by family members. "There's no indication that anybody was moving about the house or doing anything different, so it's very hard to determine if they both passed at the same time or how close they passed together," Mendoza said, per the New York Post. Authorities believe the couple may have been deceased for 'several days' or 'a couple of weeks' before being discovered. While no signs of foul play or forced entry were found, one door was slightly ajar. Two dogs were roaming safely in the house, while a third dog was discovered dead inside a crate or kennel. A pathologist theorized the dog may have died from dehydration. "I just can't process what took place," Doug Lanham, a longtime friend of Gene Hackman, told Daily Mail. "We'd all kind of expected it, he's 95, and in some of the pictures towards the end there he was looking frail. But to read and hear what took place, I still have a hard time understanding. Because they were so dignified and so in love with each other." The official causes of death for Hackman and Arakawa remain pending until autopsy and toxicology results are released, which police expect within a few weeks.
Ammon
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Ammon
Actor Hackman was likely dead for 9 days before he and his wife were found
Ammon News - Data from actor Gene Hackman's pacemaker shows he was likely dead for nine days before he and his wife were found dead at their New Mexico home, authorities said. The pacemaker shows Hackman's 'last event' was recorded on February 17, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said at a Friday news conference. 'According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life,' the sheriff said. Hackman and his wife, along with their dog, were found dead this week in circumstances officials deemed 'suspicious enough' to warrant thorough investigation. As authorities investigate their deaths, several items have been taken from the couple's home. Two green cellular devices were removed, along with three medicines: a thyroid medication, Diltiazem – used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain – and Tylenol, according to the inventory released Friday as part of a search warrant affidavit in Santa Fe County court. Also seized by sheriff's deputies were records from MyQuest – a medical diagnostics service – and a 2025 monthly planner, it says. The causes of death of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa are not known. The pair did not show any external trauma, and there were no immediate signs of foul play, according to preliminary autopsies and officials. There were also no immediate signs of a carbon monoxide or natural gas leak, authorities said. Both Hackman and his wife tested negative for carbon monoxide, likely ruling it out as a potential cause of death, Mendoza said Friday. The couple's bodies were found in separate rooms in their secluded house, with scattered pills found next to Arakawa, according to the sheriff's office. Investigators have not yet determined whether Hackman and Arakawa died at the same time, Mendoza told NBC's 'Today Show' on Friday morning, but they both likely had been dead for some time before they were discovered. CNN
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman Death Case: Pills Found by Wife's Body Identified
Originally appeared on E! Online The investigation into the deaths of and has yielded new findings. After the couple and one of their three dogs were found dead in their New Mexico home Feb. 26, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza offered new details about critical evidence in the case. Arakawa, 65, was found lying on the bathroom floor with a space heater and an open bottle of prescription medication nearby with pills 'scattered on the counter-top,' per an affidavit for the search warrant obtained by NBC News Feb. 27. The medications taken from the home were an unspecified thyroid medication, the painkiller Tylenol and the blood pressure medication Diltiazem, according to the outlet. Investigators also collected records from MyQuest—an online health lab results portal—as well as a 2025 monthly planner and two green cellphones using the warrant. Earlier in the day, Mendoza stressed the significance of the pills amid the ongoing investigation, characterizing them as 'something of concern.' For a look at Gene Hackman through the years, keep scrolling. (E!, NBC News and Today are all part of the NBCUniversal family.) More from E! Online Elon Musk Welcomes Baby No. 4 With Shivon Zilis, His 14th Child Declassified Jeffrey Epstein Files Released: Celebrities Named in His Contact Book Snoop Dogg's Daughter Cori Broadus Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby at 6 Months Pregnant 'That's obviously very important evidence at the scene,' he told Savannah Guthrie during an interview on Today. 'That information was collected, that information was passed to the office of the medical investigator to help them make a determination. So we're looking at that specifically and other medications that were possibly in the residence.' The sheriff also noted that a full toxicology report 'could take up to three months or even possibly longer' to complete, but added that his team is 'hoping it comes sooner than later.' Meanwhile, authorities have ruled out the possibility that the couple and their dog died of carbon monoxide poisoning after both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for the substance, Mendoza said in a Feb. 28 press conference. However, he noted that police could revisit the cause if 'there's something else that comes back in the toxicology report.' For a look at Gene Hackman through the years, keep scrolling. (E!, NBC News and Today are all part of the NBCUniversal family.) 19651969197119741976198619881988198919911992199319931993199519961996200020012001200320032005 For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
