Police have released heartbreaking handwritten notes that the late Gene Hackman apparently wrote in devotion to his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
Classical pianist Arakawa, who had been married to the veteran Hollywood actor for more than 30 years, was found dead on the bathroom floor of the celebrity couple’s Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26.
The grim discovery only turned all the more heartbreaking when Hackman was discovered deceased in another room.
The seemingly suspicious circumstances of the pair sparked a thorough investigation, though the pair’s deaths were later ruled by the chief medical examiner as natural.
She said Hackman died of ‘cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor,’ around a week after Arakawa passed, who had died from a rare infectious disease, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
The couple were married for more than 30 years (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Now, handwritten notes which were found scattered across their $4 million sprawling home have come to light which gives a heartbreaking insight into the couple’s adoration for one another, reports Samsung News.
Authorities in northern New Mexico released dozens of documents and photographs of the love notes the pair would write to each other.
The images show Hackman referred to his wife as ‘lovely girl’ and was affectionate with his letters, signing them with ‘Love G.’
“Morning lovely girl, thinking of you and the other little guys. Love G,” read one note.
One particularly tear-jerking note shows Hackman apologizing for needing his wife’s help in organizing her own birthday.
The notes were affectionate (Sante Fe Police Department)
“Good morning. Happy several days after your birthday. Sorry still about the dinner and having to ask for your help, although it was appreciated,” the note read, before he signed it off: “Love you and the guys, G.”
Arakawa was a carer for Hackman as he battled Alzheimer’s, which one note seemed to show he was aware of.
“Ho, Ho, I am off to see the Wizard, the Wizz of Achie, Pokie. She stabs me here and stabs me there, she stabs me almost everywhere (almost).
“But I survive because after (sic) I am still alive. (But some times just barely),” he added before his signature sign-off.
In another, he appeared to have informed Arakawa that he was off out on an errand and made a joke at his own forgetfulness.
The couple left dozens of notes scattered throughout the house (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
“I’m going down to that building out past the hot water place where you sit, and do whatever it is that people are supposed to do in such a building – maybe I’ll remember once I get down there.
“Love, what’s his name,” he added.
Meanwhile, Arakawa’s notes reveal that she often left her husband jigsaw puzzles to tackle while she was running errands.
Hackman seemed to make reference to his own illness (Santa Fe Police Department)
The letters were released alongside police bodycam footage of the moment they entered the home and stumbled across the harrowing scene, which included their bodies and the body of one of their dogs while another devoted pet, that was still alive, was found near Arakawa’s body.
The release comes as police earlier released Arakawa’s internet search history before their deaths, which showed she had looked up flu-like symptoms and ordered oxygen canisters to help with ‘respiratory support’ for Hackman.
