Wu Ming — 11 months ago(April 21, 2025 07:17 PM)

‘G’ and his ‘Lovely Girl’: Gene Hackman penned poignant Notes to Wife amid Alzheimer’s Battle
Authorities recently released a new cache of records in the death investigation of Gene Hackman and
Betsy Arakawa — including a series of heartfelt notes the couple left for each other, revealing the close-knit
nature of their relationship even as his health declined amid a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in New York in the last few years.
The letters are at times humorous, sad, moving and mundane, offering a glimpse into the private and loving life the couple led before they were both found dead in their Santa Fe compound in February.
The Oscar-winning actor affectionately signed most of the letters
"Love G"
and referred to Betsy Arakawa,
his wife of 33 years, as
"Lovely girl"
.
Included in the death investigation were photos of letters the couple exchanged.
In some of the letters, he appeared to poke fun at his deteriorating memory.
"I’m going down to that building out past the hot water place where you sit and do whatever it is that people are supposed to do in such a building — maybe I’ll remember once I get down there,"
he wrote, signing the letter
"Love whats his name"
.
In another letter, he wrote a joking poem that may have referred to a medical visit, saying,
"I’m off to see the wizard, the wizard of achie pokie. She stabs me here, she stabs me there, she stabs me almost everywhere. But I’ll survive, because after I am still alive. (But sometimes just barely) Love G."
Gene Hackman (95) relied on Betsy Arakawa (65) as his sole caregiver during his later years in life.
Other evidence photographed around the home showed her detailed notes on the doses and timing of Hackman’s medications as well as the records she kept of his medical appointments in her calendar.
In one letter, Hackman wished Arakawa
"Happy several days after your Birthday,"
and wrote
"Sorry still about the dinner, and having to ask for your help although it was appreciated."
Letters revealed in the investigation are humorous, sad, and moving.
Betsy Arakawa, too, left written notes for Gene Hackman around the home, reminding him of where she was going and what she was doing. In one letter, she wrote that she was taking their dog Zinna to obedience class and that she had left him a jigsaw puzzle on the table.
Another letter taped to the wall simply read
"Yoga 12:30 p.m."
.
Betsy Arakawa died around February 12, 2025 of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal respiratory illness spread by rodents, according to the New Mexico medical investigator’s office. In an environmental assessment, investigators found rodent feces, dead rodents and nests in structures on their property. There was no evidence of rodents found in their main home.
Gene Hackman died several days later of complications of advanced Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease and heart disease, according to the medical investigator. Authorities believe he may have wandered the house for several days unaware of Arakawa’s death and unable to get help due to the advanced state of his disease.
One of the couple’s three dogs, an Australian kelpie mix named Zinna, was found dead in a crate in their home when the couple were discovered on February 26, 2025. A necropsy revealed that Zinna died of dehydration and starvation due to being confined. The other two dogs [GSD
"Bear"
and Akita-shepherd mix
"Nikita"
], who were able to roam the property, were found alive [GSD
"Bear"
beside Betsy Arakawa] and taken into care.
Recently released photos from the investigation showed that the couple displayed in their home dozens of agility ribbons won by their dogs.
In addition to the new photos of the home and the letters, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office released body camera video, an environmental assessment and a full investigation report this week.
A New Mexico state judge had temporarily blocked the release of any records from the death investigation
at the request of the Hackman estate. On March 31, 2025, a judge ruled that records from the investigation could be unsealed as long as they did not clearly show the couple’s bodies.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-18/love-letters-gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-revealed
April 18, 2025
They had a good life with happy dogs and Betsy Arakawa took good care of everyone.
Their last days were sad but I don't want to spend years in a nursing home either, when the time comes.
As said in the other thread, the first news about their
"shocking living conditions"
were exaggerated.
A
"messy house"
looks different.
Gene Hackman's & Betsy Arakawa's Living Conditions revealed
(police videos)
Touching how GSD
"Bear"
lies next to her,
still (or again) looking after her. ​