Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Deaths Called 'suspicious'

TMZ ^ | 2/27/2025 | Staff

[marcusmaximus]

-snip-

According to a search warrant, obtained by TMZ, a Santa Fe detective who sought a search warrant wrote in his affidavit, he believes "the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak."

-snip-

Gene's wife, Betsy, was found in the bathroom on the ground near the countertop, laying on her right side. The deputy saw a black space heater near her head. The deputy believed the heater could have fallen in the event Betsy abruptly fell to the ground.

The deputy also noticed an orange prescription bottle on the countertop, which was open with pills scattered on the countertop. It appears the she had been dead for some time, because the body was in a state of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and

Gene was found in a separate room off the kitchen. He was fully clothed and suspected he may have suddenly fallen, because his sunglasses were found next to his body.

The fire department came and advised they did not see any signs of carbon monoxide leak or poisoning.

[windcliff]

Ping

[bray]

Robbed.

[AmericanMermaid]

I always enjoyed his work, too. He seemed to enhance any film he was in
You’re right that he didn’t alienate his audience with liberal crap talking.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Gene Hackman has three children with his first wife, Faye Maltese. He was married to her from 1956 to 1986. Their names are Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie. So his kids are probably in their late 60s or early 70s.

It’s a shame the kids were not calling dad regularly or be concerned that they had not heard from Dad.

[Verginius Rufus]

I didn't think you thought a cop was involved in this case.

My comment was because there have been a number of instances when a cop has killed a family dog for no apparent reason, which have been commented on here on FR.

[Valpal1]

Because it got into the pills?

[Hildy]

The Dead Dog was in the Kennel?? Even in death, Hackman is full of drama

[GSWarrior]

Best actor in the history of movies.