SANTA FE, New Mexico — Authorities have launched an investigation following the mysterious deaths of acclaimed actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, and their dog. The bodies were discovered in their Santa Fe, New Mexico residence during a welfare check conducted on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
No immediate cause of death was evident. However, officials deemed the circumstances “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” according to the search warrant affidavit. The combination of factors surrounding the scene prompted the in-depth inquiry.
Initial autopsy reports indicated that neither Hackman nor Arakawa bore any external trauma, the sheriff’s office disclosed in a Thursday press release. The exact cause and manner of death have yet to be determined, with carbon monoxide and toxicology tests underway. Official results are pending.
A chilling 911 recording captured the moment a property maintenance worker stumbled upon the bodies. The caller’s voice reflected shock and uncertainty: “A female and the male? Probably, I don’t know. I don’t know if…her. Just send somebody up here real quick.”
According to the search warrant, the Academy Award-winning actor was found lying on the floor of the mudroom, as though he had collapsed suddenly. Both he and his wife displayed clear signs of death at the time of discovery.
Arakawa’s body was located in a bathroom, positioned on her side with a space heater nearby. The affidavit described visible decomposition, with mummification affecting her hands and feet. An opened prescription bottle, with pills scattered around, rested on the bathroom counter.
A German shepherd, found dead approximately 10 to 15 feet away from Arakawa, was confined in a crate or kennel, Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed. However, two other dogs were discovered alive. One dog remained close to Arakawa’s body, while the other was located outside. Both surviving animals appeared to have access to a doggy door.
The Santa Fe City Fire Department found no immediate evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning, though the document noted the gas may have dissipated through the open front door before emergency personnel arrived. Additionally, the New Mexico Gas Company reported no issues with gas lines or pipes in the area surrounding the home.
Statements from two maintenance workers indicated they had not heard from the couple in approximately two weeks. One worker, the first to respond to the home, found the front door ajar. However, there were no signs of forced entry, nor any indication that items had been stolen or tampered with.
“There could be a multitude of reasons why the door was open,” Sheriff Mendoza told reporters. While no clear signs of foul play have emerged, authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, keeping all options on the table.
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“It sounds like they had been deceased for a while,” Mendoza added, though he declined to speculate on the exact timeline.
In a heartfelt statement, Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter shared their grief: “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Investigators continue to pursue leads as the community mourns the tragic loss of the legendary actor and his family.
