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Gene Hackman died about three weeks ago, on February 18, 2025. Now his friend and craftsman Jesse Kesler reports on the find of the body.
According to “Bild”, Kesler was a close confidante of Hackmans and has been working for the actor for years by doing craftsmanship on the over 800 square meter property. It was only on February 26 that the craftsman found the actor’s body and also that of his wife Betsy Arakawa together with a security guard. He had already worried beforehand because he hadn’t heard of the couple for several days.
Disturbing look through the window
Kesler spoke to the “Daily Mail” about the shock moment. “It was one of the worst days of my life – and I already had some.” The craftsman seems to be plagued by allegations and a guilty conscience. “I wish I had been faster. Maybe I could have saved genes or the dog, ”said the 52-year-old. Hackman owned three dogs. One of them also died at the tragic event, since nobody could take care of him until the dead couple was discovered.
It is no wonder that the craftsman describes this day as the worst of his life. He had already seen the corpses through the window. The woman from Hackman’s wife was almost mummified. He chose the police emergency number after the find.
The background to the couple’s death
The corpses were in the same house in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a week. Doctors suspect that Gene Hackman did not notice the death of the 65-year-old wife. It is said to have sized on an advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Since he was dependent on Arakawa’s care, his health went downhill with his health. Forensics found that Hackman’s stomach was empty. He only had liquid in his body. The cause of death of the actor was a cardiovascular disease. His wife died of a viral infection on February 11th.
Kesler knew nothing about Hackmans Alzheimer’s disease. This remembers a moment a few weeks ago when the Oscar winner waved his waving out of his car. Kesler is therefore certain: “He knew who I was.”