Janet Charlton's HOLLYWOOD

One of the latest breaking stories of the week was the shocking death of Gene Hackman, his decades younger wife Betsy, and one of their dogs in their Santa Fe home. While the police investigation continues, we heard from an insider close to the actor that the highly suspicious death could have been a mercy killing and then a suicide. 95 year old Gene was a far cry from his former macho self and in very poor health. My source says he’s been suffering for awhile, and wanted to pass away. The police are working on one theory that Betsy put him out of his misery and then killed herself with drugs. Again this is just one of theories but we wanted to share. (of course it doesn’t explain what happened to the dog!)

Speaking of Gene Hackman, his unexpected death threw Oscar producers into a tizzy. The “IN MEMORIUM 2025” segment for this week’s ceremony was already finished and now producrs are frantically trying to splice Gene into the segment. Since he was an admired two time Oscar winner, they are also figuring out if there’s any other way to honor him. I hear his longtime pal Dustin Hoffman has been asked to say a few words about his passing, but he hasn’t committed to it just yet, since Dustin wasn’t planning to attend this year’s ceremony.

Another celebrity death also made headlines when 39-year-old Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg passed away months after getting a liver transplant. My source says that some of Michelle’s friends are VERY concerned that her family opted AGAINST an autopsy, and are planning to hire a private investigator to piece together exactly what happened, especially since Michelle was out on the town the night before her death.

Diddy was in the news yet again for another lawsuit – this time a male escort claims he was drugged and raped by the disgraced rapper. We just heard his legal issues aren’t his only troubles this past week. My source blabbed that Diddy’s prison cell was infested with bed bugs who went to town biting him! Diddy was able to persuade authorities to fumigate his cell and replace the mattress and linens, but he’s still griping that the accommodations are a far cry from what he’s accustomed to. My source says that the powers that be at the facility are still considering placing Diddy on a suicide watch since he’s having so much trouble coping.

Gayle King made headlines for revealing she’s going up in space with Lauren Sanchez on an all female flight on the spaceship made by Lauren’s fiance, Jeff Bezos’ company, Blue Origin. Here’s what we know. Lauren also invited Gayle’s best friend, Oprah Winfrey to come along for the ride, but sensible Oprah said thanks but no thanks, preferring to keep her feet and the rest of her planted firmly on earth.

The Oscars will likely be the BIGGEST story of next week as the annual ceremony airs this Sunday. We know this. Front runner Demi Moore (we’re rooting for her) will be partying like there’s no tomorrow regardless of if she wins or loses. Demi, her friend Guy Oseary, (he’s a talent agent) and Madonna are cohosting the after after-hours party (it starts at 2am and ends just in time for breakfast!). It is expected to be THE PLACE TO BE as the A-listers let their hair down, since the event is being held at a private home in Beverly Hills.