Contractor Speaks Out on the Mysterious Deaths of Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa
The small community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is reeling from the shocking and unexplained deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Jesse Kesler, a local contractor who had a long and close relationship with the couple, is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy and has offered a heartfelt tribute to their memory.
Kesler, the owner of MudCity Builders, was the person who made the desperate 911 call after discovering the bodies at the Hackman residence on February 26th. Overwhelmed with grief, he has refrained from detailing the grim scene he encountered, emphasizing the need to respect the couple’s privacy during this difficult time.
"I will never comment on the tragic event that led to the deaths of Gene and Betsy due to their privacy," Kesler stated, highlighting the deep respect he held for the couple. However, he felt compelled to share some personal reflections on their character and the impact they had on his life and career.
In a touching statement, Kesler expressed his gratitude for the 16 years of "opportunity, friendship, and trust" he shared with Gene and Betsy. He recounted working alongside the Oscar-winning actor on various projects, still marveling at the surreal experience of collaborating with a Hollywood icon.
"Gene Hackman, thank you for lending a hand on projects over the years. I could not believe at the time I was actually working side by side with a legend," Kesler wrote. He fondly remembered Hackman treating his sons and employees as equals, praising his down-to-earth nature and willingness to be "just another one of the guys" on the job site. He also expressed how he would “cherish forever” the stories that Hackman told.
Kesler’s tribute extended to Betsy Arakawa, whom he described as a "beautiful person" and a dear friend. He thanked her for her "friendship, generosity, opportunity, and trust," and for her shared love of dogs, including his own. He also remembered her fondly for the advice and consolation that she provided him over the years.
"Betsy Hackman, thank you for the years of friendship, generosity, opportunity and trust. Thank you for your love for dogs, including my own. Thank you for all the advice and consoling. Thank you for being such a beautiful person," Kesler wrote, expressing how they “will always be near and dear” to his heart and “greatly missed”.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 63, remain shrouded in mystery. Authorities believe the couple had been deceased for more than a week before their bodies were discovered, and a criminal investigation has been launched due to the suspicious nature of the deaths, along with that of one of their dogs.
Adding to the intrigue, officials have confirmed that there were no signs of external trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa. The bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning, and the case remains open pending the results of autopsies and toxicology tests.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed that the last event recorded on Hackman’s pacemaker was on February 17th, leading investigators to believe that he may have passed away around that time. "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life," Mendoza said during a news conference.
The audio of Kesler’s frantic 911 call paints a picture of the initial shock and urgency of the situation. In the recording, Kesler can be heard pleading with the dispatcher to send help immediately, stating that he had "found two or one deceased person[s] inside a house."
Although Kesler declined to elaborate on the details of what he saw, the audio reveals his emotional distress, with him audibly crying and repeatedly saying, "Damn," as he spoke to the dispatcher. He explained that the house was locked and he could only see Arakawa lying on the floor through a window, stating that the couple were not "awake" or "alert."
The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth behind this tragic event. In the meantime, Jesse Kesler and the Santa Fe community are left to mourn the loss of two individuals who were clearly loved and respected by those who knew them.
Kesler emphasized that he wants people to remember Hackman and Arakawa as "beautiful people, kind-hearted and generous," and that he, his son, and his employees had only pleasant encounters with the couple. Their legacy of kindness and generosity will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those they touched.
