New details have emerged in the mysterious death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.
As Perezcious readers know, the couple and one of their dogs were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Wednesday. Initially, county sheriff’s public information officer, Denise Womack-Avila, said police found no evidence of foul play — but as the investigation has progressed, they’ve now indicated there are clues that make these deaths “suspicious.”
Related: Michelle Trachtenberg’s Final Posts On Social Media Were All So Nostalgic!
As previously reported, a search warrant obtained by TMZ revealed two maintenance workers were the first to discover the bodies and they told authorities they hadn’t seen the couple in two weeks. There were “no obvious signs of a gas leak” (knocking out carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause of death). Interestingly, “the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened.” Remember this, this will be key in a second.
Betsy and a dog were found deceased in a bathroom with “pills scattered next to” the musician, who was showing signs that she may have been dead “for some time,” while the 95-year-old actor was found in a separate room off the kitchen. Two other dogs were found alive and well when authorities got there. Just a shocking situation — with a lot of questions still unanswered.
On Thursday, TMZ obtained an emotional 911 call made by a “caretaker” in the couple’s gated community who was the first to discover the bodies. As he pleaded for help, he told a dispatcher that he “found two or one deceased person[s] inside a house.” He urged:
“Please send somebody really quick.”
As the operator coordinated with the paramedics, the caller could be heard repeatedly saying, “Damn,” as he processed the situation unfolding in front of him. The worker also didn’t have any personal information to share about the couple. He simply relayed what he saw through the window:
“[It’s] a female and a male probably. I don’t know, sir. Just send somebody up here really quick.”
When asked if they were “awake” or “breathing,” he said he had “no idea” because he “was not inside the house,” adding:
“[The house] is closed. It’s locked. I can’t go in. But I see that she is lying down on the floor from the window.”
Hmm. But the front door was open when the police got there? That’s odd. Maybe he just assumed or didn’t notice?
Growing increasingly concerned as questions about any signs of movement continued, he begged:
“No, dude, they’re not moving! Just send somebody out here really quick!”
The man noted he’d meet the officers at the front entrance and escort them to the right property. Hear the full conversation (below):
Whoa.
Such a terrible situation. Hopefully, authorities will get to the bottom of it soon.
[Image via Orion Pictures/YouTube & DJDM/WENN]
-
Categories
