Gene Hackman fans slam officials for release of love letters

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Authorities in New Mexico found several heartbreaking love notes Gene Hackman had written his wife, Betsy Arakawa, before the couple’s deaths.

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Santa Fe County released a series of documents and images of Hackman and Arakawa’s home, including photos of the sweet messages that were scattered in various rooms.

In one note, Hackman seemed appreciative of Arakawa helping him prepare her own birthday dinner.

“Good morning,” one note read, according to TMZ. “Happy several days after your birthday. Sorry still about the dinner and having to ask for your help, although it was appreciated.”

Hackman called Arakawa a “lovely girl” in another message, adding that he was “thinking of you and the other little guys,” before signing off with his love.

There were also notes from Arakawa to her husband, many of which detailed what she was doing.

One read: “Hi G! Taking Zin to obedience class & the vet appt. See you back at home! There is jigsaw puzzle on the table. xo B.”

While many were touched by the sweet sentiments in the letters, others were disappointed over the invasion of privacy of the now-exposed intimate notes.

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“These are private and should remain private!” one person wrote on social media.

Another called it “disgusting” and “not our business at all.”

A third person asked, “Why are these being broadcasted?”

The Hackman estates and their loved ones sought court protection to prevent the release of the records, to no avail.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza admitted the “difficult position” placed on the county, which “asked the Court for guidance that would both honor the family’s core wishes and shield our community from potential liability” under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, he said in a statement.

“Our statutory and fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers requires us to find compassionate and workable solutions that respect both public transparency requirements and a grieving family’s dignity.”

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One of the documents released by the county on Tuesday, which had originally been withheld to protect the couple’s privacy, showed Arakawa’s internet searches.

Investigators found that Arakawa had searched for “breathing techniques” and had sent out an email on Feb. 11, 2025, where she noted that Hackman had woken up “with flu/cold-like symptoms.”

It was also discovered that Arakawa had “purchased several Boost Oxygen canisters” online that same day.

It is believed Arakawa died on Feb. 12, the same day she was penciled in to see a doctor.

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Her cause of death was determined to be hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening viral illness transmitted to humans from the infected urine, droppings or saliva of certain species of rats and mice.

She was 65.

According to the incident report, the New Mexico Department of Public Health found live rodent traps, dead rodents, droppings and nests in multiple buildings on the couple’s property.

Hackman tested negative for the virus, and his cause of death was determined to be hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease being a significant contributory factor. He was 95.

It is believed Hackman died on Feb. 18, the day his pacemaker last showed signs of activity.

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