Gene Hackman‘s handyman and caretaker talked to cops after claiming he spied the late actor’s spouse’s lifeless physique inside their secluded New Mexico residence … telling them to maintain issues on the down low.

New police physique cam footage launched Tuesday exhibits the interplay between cops and Gene’s handyman … and he tells them he went to examine on the couple as a result of he hadn’t heard from them in practically 3 weeks.

The man claims he was attempting to get a wellness examine and stumbled upon Betsy Arakawa‘s physique. He says it is Gene’s home and the couple valued privateness and to maintain the incident on the hush.

Gene’s handyman was additionally involved with the well-being of certainly one of their canines … who was finally discovered lifeless in a crate.

As we reported … different police physique cam footage launched Tuesday exhibits cops looking out the house for Gene and Betsy.

The inside of the house was messy in some areas … and there was a rodent infestation on the property.

Betsy died first from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome … and Gene died a number of days later from coronary heart illness and superior Alzheimer’s.