A close friend of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa revealed the tragic reason Hackman couldn’t call for help after his wife’s death.Last month, the decomposing bodies of the Hollywood star and his wife were found in their Santa Fe home,

sparking speculation about carbon monoxide poisoning or foul play. Authorities later confirmed they died of natural causes—Arakawa from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and Hackman from complications related to Alzheimer’s.

Arakawa had been Hackman’s primary caregiver, and after her death around February 11, he was left alone, disoriented, and unable to seek help. Lacking a phone and uninterested in technology, Hackman likely didn’t even realize she had passed. A maintenance worker later discovered their bodies, along with one of their deceased dogs.