More insight into Gene Hackman‘s final days is being revealed.
After the acting legend, 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, and one of their three dogs were found dead in their New Mexico home, his longtime family friends Daniel Lenihan and Barbara Lenihan, as well as their son Aaron Lenihan, spoke out on his declining health leading up to the tragedy.
For Barbara and Daniel—who reportedly knew Gene for over 30 years—it was apparent that the French Connection star was “really slipping” during the “last couple months” that he was alive.
In fact, Daniel told People in an interview published March 1 that Gene was “essentially kind of homebound” during that time, while his wife noted in the joint conversation that the actor had “quit riding his bike through the neighborhood.”
And Aaron echoed his parents’ sentiments, adding that Betsy had been trying to improve Gene’s health by incorporating puzzles and yoga into their daily routine.
“Betsy tried to keep him kind of active and engaged,” he explained to People. “She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible.”