Gene Hackman's Chilling Death Interview Revealed — How 'The Conversation' Oscar-Winner Revealed He Was Terrified of Passing Away and Wanted to 'Take Care of My Wife'
Hackman and Arakawa's lifeless bodies were found inside of their Santa Fe home.
Feb. 27 2025, Published 6:00 p.m. ET
Gene Hackman's chilling death interview has been revealed — just hours after the Hollywood icon was found dead inside his home.
RadarOnline.com can reveal how the Oscar-winner once shared how he was terrified of passing away and wanted to "take care of my wife."
Gene Hackman was a tortured soul who hated Hollywood's glare.
On Thursday morning, cops in Santa Fe revealed the Hollywood icon was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their mansion.
A local law enforcement officer told ABC News the couple and dog were found after neighbors expressed concern for the family.
While an investigation is underway, police suspect no foul play but are awaiting a warrant to search the property for more information.
Adan Mendoza, the Santa Fe County sheriff, said in a statement: "All I can say is that we're in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant."
A police statement added: "On February 26, 2025 at approximately 1:45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased."
Following the shocking news about the iconic actor's death, an interview from 2009 resurfaced where he spoke about passing away.
The award-winning star said: "I have the normal fear of passing away.
"You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age.
"I try to take care of myself."
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead inside their $3.3million Santa Fe compound last month
As of Thursday afternoon, hours after the deaths were announced, it has been reported the couple was found partially mummified in their mansion, with pills scattered in their bathroom.
According to the Daily Mail, Arakawa was found decomposed with bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet on the bathroom floor.
Sheriffs investigating the case said Hackman's body was found in a similar state in a mud room.
According to reports, maintenance workers found the bodies, as well as their dead dog, on Wednesday after not seeing the couple for two weeks.
Firefighters found no signs of a gas leak, and their front door was open – but there were no signs of forced entry.
In an interview with TMZ, the actor's daughter Elizabeth speculated earlier on Thursday that her father and stepmother may have been killed by a carbon monoxide leak.
While police continue to investigate the cause of death for the couple and their dog, police assured the public "there's no immediate danger to anyone."
Mystery continues to surround Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths as cops refuse to confirm cause of their passings.
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The couple was last seen together in March 2024, when the iconic actor was seen gripping his wife's arm and using a cane to walk.
Hackman's career has spanned more than four decades as he's had a variety of acting gigs.
Some of his most famous roles included The French Connection, Mississippi Burning, Unforgiven, The Birdcage, Under Suspicion, and The Replacements.
