![](\"https:\/\/dailyspire.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-2220640.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The shadow of Hackman\u2019s passing loomed over the 97th Academy Awards after the 95-year-old was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Akawara, at their home in Santa Fe last week.<\/p>\n
Details from a search warrant into their death confirm that the tragedy has been considered \u201csuspicious\u201d enough to investigate further, this in spite of initial reports claiming that no foul play was suspected.<\/p>\n
Fans of Hackman desperately sought answers in the days following the heartbreaking news being made public.<\/p>\n
One of Hackman\u2019s daughters, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, shared in an interview with TMZ that the family wasn\u2019t entirely sure what led to the deaths, but that they suspected carbon monoxide poisoning could be to blame.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe house is fairly modern, built in 2000,\u201d Elizabeth explained, \u201cbut we don\u2019t know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were any recent service calls to the property.\u201d<\/p>\n
It should hardly come as a surprise, then, that certain superstars in attendance for this year\u2019s Academy Awards were of a mind to pay tribute to Hackman. Among them was Morgan Freeman, who starred alongside the late actor in the 1992 classic Unforgiven.<\/p>\n
The pair also shared the screen in Under Suspicion (2000), which ended up being one of Hackman\u2019s last Hollywood roles before his retirement.<\/p>\n
As per Variety, Freeman began his speech last night by saying: \u201cThis week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman. I had the pleasure of working alongside Gene on two films, Unforgiven and Under Suspicion. Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him, I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone\u2019s work.<\/p>\n
\u201cGene always said, \u2018I don\u2019t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I speak for us all when I say, \u2018Gene, you will be remembered for that, and so much more.\u2019 Rest in peace, my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the investigation into the deaths, Santa Fe City Fire department have seemingly ruled out carbon monoxide leak or poisoning as they found no signs present at the home.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s reported that the New Mexico Gas Company also found no signs of this after carrying out tests on the gas line and around the residence.<\/p>\n
According to the Associated Press, Hackman\u2019s body was found in a mudroom while his wife was in a bathroom next to a space heater.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The shadow of Hackman\u2019s passing loomed over the 97th Academy Awards after the 95-year-old was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Akawara, at their home in Santa… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33521,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n