February 28, 2025: Authorities are investigating the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, after their bodies were found in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday. Although foul play is not immediately suspected, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are being treated as suspicious, and a thorough investigation is underway.
Hackman, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for iconic films like The French Connection and Unforgiven, and his wife Arakawa were found by two maintenance workers in separate areas of their home. Arakawa’s body was discovered in the bathroom, with an open prescription pill bottle and scattered pills nearby. Hackman was found in the mud room, adjacent to the kitchen, with his sunglasses by his side. Both appeared to have fallen to the ground.
Additionally, a dead dog was found near Arakawa’s body in the bathroom closet, while two healthy dogs were located elsewhere on the property. Despite no signs of forced entry, a search of the property has been conducted, and authorities are looking into the possibility of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning. However, there were no indications of such hazards.
Detectives noted signs of decomposition on both bodies, and Arakawa’s body showed facial bloating and mummification of her hands and feet. A space heater was also found near her body, suggesting that it may have fallen had she collapsed suddenly. No signs of trauma were observed, though authorities are investigating whether blunt or sharp objects were involved.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, after consulting with the Medical Examiner’s Office, has ruled out gunshot wounds or stab wounds. Autopsies were conducted, and toxicology tests are being performed to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities have also seized phones, video footage, DNA, fingerprints, and searched for any potential weapons during the investigation.
At this time, there are no definitive conclusions, and further analysis is being conducted to understand the cause of the deaths. In the meantime, the couple’s two surviving dogs are being cared for by Animal Control.
Gene Hackman’s death, along with that of his wife, has left the world in shock, as tributes continue to pour in from fans and colleagues, mourning the loss of a Hollywood legend.