Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead: Authorities Investigate “Suspicious” Circumstances

The peaceful community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been shaken by the discovery of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, deceased at their home on Wednesday afternoon. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have been deemed “suspicious enough” to warrant a full investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, despite the absence of immediate signs of foul play. Their dog was also found deceased in the house.

Deputies were dispatched to the couple’s residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park around 1:45 pm on February 26, 2025, after receiving a call requesting emergency services. Upon arrival, they discovered Hackman in a side room near the kitchen, while Arakawa was found in a bathroom. Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated in a news conference on Thursday that the couple appeared to have been dead for “quite a while,” although he refrained from speculating on the precise duration.

The detective’s observations in the search warrant underscored the extended period since death, noting “decomposition” and “mummification” in Ms. Arakawa’s hands and feet, as well as similar signs of death on Hackman’s body. A portable heater was found near Ms. Arakawa’s head, leading the detective to consider the possibility that it had been pulled down in the event of a sudden fall. Hackman was found wearing casual clothing and slippers, with sunglasses and a walking cane nearby, suggesting a possible sudden collapse.

The search warrant further highlighted the suspicious nature of the scene, pointing to the open front door as a cause for concern. However, the detective noted no signs of forced entry or any evidence of the home having been ransacked. Two other healthy dogs were found on the property, one inside and one outside.

Authorities have requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests for both Hackman and his wife to determine the cause of death, as the autopsy results are still pending. A prescription bottle and scattered pills were found on the bathroom countertop near Arakawa’s body. The couple’s German Shepherd was found deceased in a bathroom closet near to Ms Arakawa.

Three of Hackman’s children from a previous marriage confirmed the death of their father and Ms Arakawa in a statement to the BBC. They remembered him not only as a celebrated actor but also as a loving father and grandfather. Tributes have poured in, recognizing Hackman’s immense talent and contribution to cinema.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities considering all possibilities until the results of the tests and autopsy are available. The 2,300 sq ft ranch-style home, located in a gated community and valued at approximately $1 million, has become the focal point of the investigation. Two maintenance workers, one of whom placed the initial emergency call, reported that they rarely saw the couple, even during routine work at the property. The details surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remain shrouded in mystery, prompting a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind this unsettling event.