Bombshell police photographs have revealed the handwritten notes exchanged between Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa before their deaths earlier this year. Hollywood heavyweight Gene was found dead in his Santa Fe home alongside his wife, who is believed to have died a week earlier. 65-year-old Betsy died from rare hantavirus, while Gene, 95, is believed to have died from heart disease while in the later stages of Alzheimer’s.

Now New Mexico authorities who attended the scene have released photos from the death scene, including pictures of the sweet notes the pair used to write one another. Gene referred to Betsy as “lovely girl” and signed his letters: “Love, G.” One heartbreaking example saw Gene write to Betsy: “Good morning. Happy several days after your birthday. Sorry still about the dinner and having to ask for your help, although it was appreciated. Love you and the guys, G.” It appears Gene needed help preparing food due to his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Another note saw Gene write about his ongoing medical treatments, penning: “Ho, ho, I am off to see the wizard, the wiz of achie, pokie. She stabs me here and stabs me there, she stabs me almost everywhere (almost). But I survive because after I am still alive. (But sometimes just barely).”

He also wrote to Betsy: “Morning lovely girl, thinking of you and the other little guys. Love, G.” He also teased Betsy he was going out to run an errand, penning: “I’m going down to that building out past the hot water place where you sit, and do whatever it is that people are supposed to do in such a building – maybe I’ll remember once I get down there.” He jokingly closed the letter: “Love, what’s his name.”

Police also released bodycam footage which showed authorities discovering Betsy’s remains, with the couple’s dog standing guard over her lifeless body.

One of the officers commented: “Poor guy, he’s sad.” The investigators also found the body of Zinna, one of the couple’s dogs who died from starvation and dehydration while locked in a crate after a veterinary procedure.