Introduction
A Santa Fe home became the center of a police investigation, revealing a tragic scene and a glimpse into the final days of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. New police images, including over 500 body cam videos and 700 photos, show the house frozen in time, filled with clutter, scattered medications, and a bathtub overflowing with boxes.
Deputies, responding to a welfare check, meticulously searched the home, discovering Hackman’s body in the mudroom. The heartbreaking discovery was compounded by the presence of the couple’s German Shepherd, guarding the partially mummified body of Betsy in the bathroom.
Authorities found no signs of forced entry or initial trauma. Amidst the disarray, poignant love notes from Gene to Betsy were scattered throughout, expressing his affection and gratitude. It was determined that Gene Hackman died from severe heart disease. His daughters revealed they hadn’t been in contact with him for nearly a year and a half.
Betsy’s death was attributed to hantavirus, a rare disease contracted from rodents on their property. Surveillance footage showed her wearing a mask in a grocery store, and a canceled massage appointment and ordered oxygen canisters suggested her concerns about her health. Despite being described as a “health freak” and significantly younger than Gene, Betsy had been out of contact for two and a half weeks, prompting concern.
The new images and details paint a somber picture of the couple’s final moments, highlighting their isolation and the quiet tragedy that unfolded within their home.