Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico this week and police have since launched a major investigation into their deaths
The death of Gene Hackman and his wife is being treated as “suspicious” by police.
The legendary actor, 95, was found dead at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday (February 26) with his musician wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and one of their dogs. Their bodies were discovered decomposed and partially mummified, in separate rooms of the property, with no obvious signs of trauma.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths and revealed the couple died around 10 days before they were discovered. An initial autopsy has revealed the bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning, despite a belief this could have caused their deaths.
They said they suspect no “immediate” signs of foul play, but have not ruled this out yet. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said they’re “keeping everything on the table” and, at a news conference on Friday, confirmed this “is an active investigation still”.
Cops have deemed the deaths “suspicious enough” to require a search warrant for the property. The search warrant said the deaths are “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation” as the worker who discovered the bodies had found the front door of Hackman’s mansion to be open.
However, the detective noted no evidence of forced entry into the property. The detective also observed nothing seemed out of place inside of the mansion and that there was no indication that any belongings had been removed or rummaged through.
Three dogs were seen inside of the home – one was dead in a bathroom closet, just metres away from Betsy’s body. The other two dogs were found alive and healthy and roaming the property, one inside and one out.
Besty was found lying on the bathroom floor and Hackman was found near the couple’s kitchen. A police warrant revealed that Arakawa was “found decomposed with bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet” and that Gene had the “same signs of decomposition as his wife”.
It’s believed the Oscar winner may have died of a sudden fall as a walking cane was reportedly found next to his body as well as glasses. Last year, Hackman was seen looking frail and walking with a stick during a rare public outing with Betsy.
A portable heater was discovered near to Betsy’s head, which the detective believed could have been brought down if she, too, had suddenly fallen to the ground. An autopsy and toxicology tests have been requested for both individuals, and authorities said it could be a few months before the results of these are made public.
The local fire department and local utility company found no sign of a gas leak in the area and no suggestion of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. Police have assured residents that there’s “no immediate danger to anyone”.
In a news conference on Friday (February 28), Mendoza said: “Good afternoon everybody, I am Sheriff Adan Mendoza, Sheriff for Santa Fe County New Mexico. On Wednesday, February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm Santa Fe County Sheriffs deputies were dispatched to 1425 Old Sunset Trail where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arkawa, 65, and their dog were found deceased.
“An individual [who] arrived to do maintenance on the residence became concerned after receiving no answer and contacted neighbourhood security to conduct a welfare check. Security then checked on the residence and observed Mr Hackman and Ms Arakawa on the ground, unresponsive through a window and called 911.
“Deputies arrived and gained access where they observed a Ms Arakawa deceased. They continued the search of the home and located Mr Hackman in a separate area of the residence – also deceased.
“A German Shepherd was also found deceased and two other dogs, who appeared healthy, were located on the property. Deputies then secured the scene and notified the criminal investigations division. Due to the unusual circumstances of two desceadants [sic] there was a concern for scene safety.
“Santa Fe City Fire personnel and a New Mexico gas company were requested to the scene to test for carbon monoxide or other foreign elements. The scene was deemed safe and approximately 9.30pm a search warrant was issued and executed on the residence.
“Now, collected from the residence, from this search warrant; there were two green in colour cell phones, two bottles of medication, one bottle of over-the-counter Tylenol. My request, medical records, and a 2025 monthly planner calendar. Those items were secured from the residence for evidentiary purposes.
He continued: “The Santa Fe Animal Control Division worked with family to ensure the safety of the two dogs. Investigation personel worked dilegently throguh the night and morning to preserve the scene for evidence. It should be noted there were no apparent signs of foul play. In the early hours on February 27 2025 Mr Hackman and Ms Arakawa were transported to the office of the medical investigator.
“An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted: no external trauma to either individual, the manner and cause of death has not been determined. Official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. Just today, I spoke to Dr Jarell, the pathologist from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator – this was at 2pm today.”
The sheriff explained Hackman’s pacemaker stopped working on February 17. “She advised that were several tests admitted to be expedited,” he went on. “She revealed to me the following information; both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide. An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr Hackman’s pacemaker, this revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17 2025.
“I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed. That will conclude my statement, I will take a few questions. Just so everybody knows this is an active investigation still.”
Gene won two Oscars during his incredible acting career. The first was for Best Actor for playing Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection, and the second was for Best Supporting Actor as “Little” Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood film Unforgiven.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
