Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M. home, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County sheriff’s office. The couple’s bodies showed signs of decomposition, with Hackman’s in the mudroom and Arakawa’s in the bathroom, near a space heater and prescription medications. A deceased German shepherd was also found nearby. Initial autopsies revealed no external trauma, and authorities are awaiting toxicology results. The couple lived a secluded life; Hackman was a celebrated actor turned author and artist, while Arakawa was a classical pianist. No foul play is suspected.
An inquiry has commenced regarding the fatalities of Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, who were discovered deceased at their residence in Santa Fe, N.M., on Wednesday.
Gene Hackman was found in a mud room, while Betsy Arakawa’s body was located on a bathroom floor, as detailed in a search warrant affidavit. A deceased German shepherd was also found in a closet of the bathroom adjacent to Ms. Arakawa.
The sheriff’s office in Santa Fe County, which is overseeing the investigation, released a statement on Thursday afternoon noting that “there were no evident signs of foul play.” Furthermore, there were no clear indications of a gas leak within the home, and the Fire Department did not identify any signs of carbon monoxide leakage, as per the search warrant affidavit.
Here’s what we know.
What transpired?
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched to the home after a maintenance worker, who arrived to perform scheduled work on Wednesday afternoon, became anxious when there was no response at the door. The worker requested local security to conduct a welfare check, and upon arrival, they observed unresponsive bodies through the window, prompting them to call 911.
Deputies located Ms. Arakawa lying on her side on the bathroom floor, with a space heater positioned near her head, where it might have fallen during the incident, as indicated in the affidavit. An open prescription bottle and scattered pills were found on a counter in the bathroom close to her body.
As per the affidavit, Ms. Arakawa’s body exhibited signs of decomposition, along with “mummification in both hands and feet.” The dog was found approximately 10 to 15 feet away from her in a bathroom closet. Additionally, two other dogs were discovered alive on the property.
Mr. Hackman’s body was situated in the mud room, and according to the affidavit, his condition was similar to that of his wife. He was discovered wearing gray sweatpants, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt, brown slippers, and was accompanied by a cane. A pair of sunglasses lay to his left. One of the deputies present at the scene remarked that it seemed he had “suddenly fallen,” as per the affidavit.
What is the latest on the investigation?
As of Thursday, the investigation remained ongoing. Autopsies conducted on Mr. Hackman and Ms. Arakawa revealed no initial signs of external trauma, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County stated in a phone interview that investigators are still striving to ascertain the causes of their deaths, adding that no note has been discovered.
Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests have been requested for both individuals, but results are still pending, as reported by the sheriff’s office.
What were Mr. Hackman’s later years like?
Mr. Hackman relocated to Santa Fe County in the 1980s after filming several movies in the region. In 1991, he married Ms. Arakawa, a classical pianist. The couple resided in an adobe home situated in a tranquil neighborhood elevated above downtown Santa Fe, surrounded by winding roads and stunning mountain views. Mr. Hackman was seen occasionally in the downtown area.
During his 40-year acting career, Mr. Hackman earned five Academy Award nominations, winning two. Although he never officially retired from acting, he mentioned in a 2008 interview that he had chosen to step back because he didn’t want to “keep pressing” and risk “going out on a real sour note.”
In his later years, Mr. Hackman dedicated himself to painting and sculpture. He also became a published author, co-authoring three historical novels with a friend, and later producing “Payback at Morning Peak” (2011), a western, and “Pursuit” (2013), a thriller.