Actor Gene Hackman, Wife, And Dog Found Dead In New Mexico Home, Investigation Ongoing

An active investigation is ongoing after the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, whose bodies were found in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, residence. Authorities also discovered one of their dogs dead, and their bodies were described as being in a state of decomposition, said the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department.

The fact that there was a presence of the New Mexico Gas Company at the location caused initial carbon monoxide poisoning speculation. There was, however, a later search warrant, which cast suspicions, where pills from prescriptions were found close to Arakawa’s body.

Hackman and Arakawa were discovered in different areas of the house. Arakawa was found on a bathroom floor next to an overturned space heater, and Hackman was discovered in the mudroom dressed in full clothing, with a cane lying next to him. Officials believe he might have had a sudden fall. The sheriff’s department said there were no indications of foul play, but autopsy results are pending.

TMZ and Variety reported that the couple had been dead for hours when they were found, noting evidence of decomposition on their bodies. There was also a prescription bottle with pills spilled around it. Officials dismissed the possibility of a gas leak but found the deaths suspicious enough to call for an investigation.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that there were three German shepherds in the house, one of which was discovered dead in a closet next to Arakawa. There were no indications of trauma or suicide note.

Hackman, an Academy Award-winning actress twice over, and Arakawa resided in New Mexico since 2004 and lived quite a secluded life. Their daughter Elizabeth Hackman, proposed the family might have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning, but announced that the family awaited official determination. The case continues to remain under investigation.