Feb 21 • 13:00 UTC 🇺🇸 USA Fox News

Gene Hackman death: Fire chief recalls shocking first call, ‘I thought I had a little more time than 48 hours’

The former Santa Fe Fire Chief reflects on the intense media scrutiny following the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

The article discusses the aftermath of the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, which drew significant attention in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Former Fire Chief Brian Moya shares his personal experience of receiving the emergency call about the incident, noting how unexpected and overwhelming it was for him and the local first responders. He reflects on how the situation spiraled into a media frenzy, inundating him with calls and messages as he struggled to manage the coverage.

Moya recalls the first moments after receiving the call, emphasizing the rapid escalation of the situation. As a prominent Hollywood figure, Hackman's death was not just a local story, but instead attracted national media interest. The fire chief describes feeling unprepared for the level of response required to handle both the emergency and the ensuing press inquiries, highlighting the pressures faced by local officials during such a high-profile incident.

The narrative serves to humanize first responders amidst a tragedy and showcases the unique challenges in managing public safety and media relations. The impact of Hackman's passing resonates in the community, reminding readers of the blend between local events and larger national conversations in the age of real-time news coverage.

📡 Similar Coverage