Gene Hackman’s nephew addresses ‘theories’ surrounding actor and wife’s mysterious deaths 

Gene Hackman’s family won’t make any assumptions about how the late actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa died after an ongoing investigation deemed their deaths “suspicious.”

Tim Hackman, the son of Gene’s brother Richard Hackman, said the family is waiting on the toxicology report results in an interview with Us Weekly published Monday.

“That will tell us everything. It’s hard to theorize,” Gene’s nephew said. “There are lots of theories out there and I don’t want to speculate. It’s easy to speculate negative theories.”

Gene Hackman’s nephew said the family won’t speculate on how the actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa (seen here in 1994) both died. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Tim Hackman said the family is waiting on the toxicology report for Gene (seen here in 2023.) SplashNews.com

Tim shared that the family is trying to remain optimistic as they mourn the loss of the “The Royal Tenenbaums” star.

“The family wants to keep it positive for now and when we know the truth we will deal with it,” he told the outlet.

Page Six confirmed on Feb. 27 that Gene and Arakawa were found dead inside their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home along with one of their dogs the previous day. He was 95 and she was 65.

“There are lots of theories out there and I don’t want to speculate. It’s easy to speculate negative theories,” Tim said of Gene’s death. Getty Images Gene’s nephew said the family wants to remain “positive.” SplashNews.com The late couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home last week. Dave Lewis/Shutterstock

Gene’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, had told TMZ that the family believed their dad and stepmom died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Meanwhile, his daughter Leslie said Gene had been in good health before his passing.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office initially did not suspect foul play, but hours later, they called the case “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search” after finding pills on the scene and “no obvious signs of a gas leak.”

Cops confirmed in a press conference that both Gene and the classical pianist “tested negative for carbon monoxide.”

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed in a press release obtained by Page Six on Tuesday that the New Mexico Gas Company conducted an extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide and found “no significant findings.”

Authorities seized three different medications and two green cell phones from the home as well as a 2025 monthly planner and MyQuest records, according to a search warrant obtained by TMZ.

Authorities did not immediately suspect foul play but later said the deaths were suspicious. SplashNews.com Gene (seen here in 1995) married the pianist in 1991. Bei/Shutterstock

Investigators found that Gene’s pacemaker had stopped tracking his heart’s movements on Feb. 17 — more than a week before his body was discovered.

Arakawa, who married Gene in 1991, was found in a state of decomposition and mummification in the bathroom.

The “Heartbreakers” actor’s film legacy was honored by Hollywood at the 2025 Oscars Sunday — with Morgan Freeman delivering an emotional tribute to his “dear friend.”