As shocking new details surface, the story becomes even more haunting.
While the media scrambles for answers and authorities dig deeper into the case, there are those closest to them, hidden from the public eye, left to mourn a tragedy that no one saw coming.
Leslie Anne Allen, the youngest of the three children the late Hollywood icon Gene Hackman, was spotted for the first time in public since the tragic and shocking details of her father’s and stepmother’s passing were revealed.
The 58-year-old was seen running errands in Los Angeles on March 9, just days after authorities disclosed the devastating autopsy results surrounding the couple’s untimely deaths.
Gene was survived by three adult children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese: son Christopher Allen and daughters Leslie Anne and Elizabeth Jean.
One would think that Leslie would be allowed to grieve in peace, but there are many who are questioning her actions surrounding her father’s death.
A devastating loss
Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their New Mexico home in mid-February.
Initially, many speculated a possible carbon monoxide leak as the cause. For instance, one of Gene Hackman’s other daughters, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, 63, told TMZ that the family suspected toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, might have been the cause of the deaths.
However, the truth came to light in the autopsy report released by Dr. Heather Jarrel, Chief Medical Investigator for New Mexico. It was revealed that Betsy had tragically died first from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare but deadly virus transmitted through rodent urine or feces.
Gene Hackman, despite his advanced Alzheimer’s, seemingly unaware of his wife’s passing, died a week later from heart disease.
The disturbing discovery
According to the report, Betsy Arakawa had displayed flu-like symptoms before her passing, including fatigue, fever, and dizziness.
Tragically, she collapsed while trying to take medication, with the bottle found next to her body. One of their three dogs, a German Shepherd named Zinna, was also found deceased in the same room, while the other two dogs were safely rescued.
Gene Hackman, who had been in relatively good health despite his Alzheimer’s, passed away on February 18, after surviving a week without knowing that his wife had died. Authorities speculate that the emotional toll of Betsy’s death may have contributed to his own decline.
Leslie Anne Allen speaks out
In the wake of the heartbreaking events, Leslie Anne Allen spoke to the media, acknowledging her grief while sharing how she had prepared herself for her father’s passing, due to his advanced age.
“It wasn’t terribly shocking,” Leslie said. She also spoke fondly of her father’s later years, describing how he had led a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise, including yoga and Pilates.
Leslie also praised her father’s relationship with Betsy, saying,
”I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive. She took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health. I am appreciative to her for that, and I’m very saddened by her passing.”
In her conversation with MailOnline, Leslie revealed there was ”no indication” that Gene was unwell before his passing.
She added, ”Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” and pointed out that he hadn’t had any major surgeries recently.
But following a thorough investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, experts found that Allen’s assessment of Hackman’s health was far from accurate.
Contrary to Allen’s claim that Hackman was in ”good health,” Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell revealed that the former actor was actually ”in a very poor state of health.”
“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”
Although Allen hadn’t spoken to her father in months, it appears his health issues were not new.
Jarrell’s autopsy revealed that Hackman suffered from ”severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.”
While Leslie had prepared herself for the loss of her father, she admitted the passing of Betsy and their dog took her by surprise. The medical examiner confirmed that Hantavirus was the cause of Arakawa’s death, a diagnosis that is notoriously difficult to detect due to its flu-like symptoms.
The mysterious and deadly hantavirus
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is transmitted by rodent droppings and urine, with symptoms often mistaken for common illnesses like the flu. Patricio Ros, a physician specializing in infectious diseases, explained, “The trickiest part about Hantavirus is detection.”
“Early symptoms are very similar to diseases such as influenza,” he told BoredPanda.
The virus is fatal in approximately 38% of cases and has no specific treatment. Health experts recommend taking preventative measures to avoid rodent contact in homes and using appropriate cleaning methods to reduce the risk of exposure.
A family in mourning
As Leslie Anne Allen reflects on the loss of both her father and stepmother, public sentiment has been divided. Many have expressed sympathy and offered prayers, while others have questioned why Leslie didn’t check on her father sooner.
“Check on him,” some critics have said, wondering if the tragedy could have been avoided with more frequent visits or checks.
Despite these criticisms, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of heartbreak for the loss of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and his wife.
Allen acknowledged that she hadn’t seen or spoken to Hackman or Arakawa “for a couple of months” due to living hundreds of miles away in California, but she emphasized that she was still “close” with her father and that “everything was good.”
“We were close… I hadn’t talked to them for a couple months, but everything was normal and everything was good,” she said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Leslie and her family during this difficult time. The tragic story of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa serves as a reminder of how quickly life can change, and how important it is to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones.