During Friday’s episode of BBC Breakfast, host Charlie Stayt had to issue an apology to viewers after a technical hiccup disrupted a segment about the late Gene Hackman.
As Charlie was discussing the investigation into the deaths of the 95-year-old actor Gene and his 63-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa—who were found along with their deceased dog at their Santa Fe home on Thursday—the broadcast faced issues.
Police have initiated an inquiry into the couple’s death but currently do not suspect any foul play, reports the Express.
The audience received information about the ongoing investigation through a recorded clip, which concluded showing the two-time Oscar winner’s image.
However, when the BBC host tried to transition to another item touching on a BBC Gaza documentary, which is being narrated by the son of a senior Hamas leader, Gene’s photo lingered on the screen.
Charlie commented: “The BBC has apologised for serious flaws in the production of a documentary about the war in Gaza.”
Upon realizing the blunder, he stuttered, adding: “Apologies, let’s just get, err, that bit straightened out.”
Though the image was eventually removed, another glitch occurred when a Kyiv-based correspondent popped up unannounced during Charlie’s exposition about the documentary.
According to law enforcement’s search warrant, Gene, Betsy, and their dog were all discovered in different rooms, and it was apparent they had been”dead for some time”.
Preliminary medical investigations revealed that the couple had “no external trauma”. Gene’s daughters, Leslie and Elizabeth, issued a formal statement about the heartbreaking loss of their father and his wife.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they declared in a statement, as reported by The New York Post.
The statement continued: “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
The sisters suspect that the legendary actor and his wife may have succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Elizabeth and Leslie are two of Hackman’s three children from his marriage to Faye Maltese. The former couple, who were married from 1956 to 1986, also have a son named Christopher. Gene later married Betsy, a classical pianist, in 1991.
BBC Breakfast continues weekdays on BBC One from 6am.