The investigation into the deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has taken an unexpected turn, with law enforcement admitting to a mistake made at the crime scene. As more details emerge, authorities continue to work through the mystery surrounding their passing, leaving family, friends, and fans searching for answers.
The tragic discovery of Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies last Wednesday, February 27, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, initially led police to believe there were no signs of foul play. However, new developments in the case have prompted a full investigation. Reports suggest that the couple had been deceased for a significant period before their bodies were found, with some sources indicating that their remains were in a state of partial mummification. Additionally, one of the couple’s beloved dogs was discovered dead inside the residence.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and Superman, was 95 at the time of his passing. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, a former concert pianist and his partner of more than three decades, was found in a different part of the home. Hackman’s body was located in a mudroom, while Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom next to a bottle of prescription pills—a detail that Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has called a “significant” piece of evidence.
In the days following their deaths, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, spoke out about her family’s uncertainty regarding what led to the tragedy. She speculated that carbon monoxide poisoning could be to blame. “The house is fairly modern, built in 2000,” Elizabeth explained in an interview with TMZ. “But we don’t know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were any recent service calls to the property.”
However, investigators have since ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause. The Santa Fe City Fire Department conducted tests throughout the home and found no signs of leaks or hazardous gas levels. Similarly, the New Mexico Gas Company performed an independent inspection, confirming that no carbon monoxide was detected.
As part of their efforts to determine the timeline of events, authorities reviewed data from Hackman’s pacemaker. Sheriff Mendoza confirmed on Friday, February 28, that the device recorded its final heartbeat on February 17, suggesting that Hackman likely passed away on that day—over a week before his body was discovered.
Amid ongoing forensic examinations, a new development has surfaced, exposing a mistake in the initial police report. Investigators had originally stated that the deceased dog found inside the home was a German Shepherd. This detail led many of the couple’s close friends to assume that it was Bear, their longtime pet, who had perished alongside them.
However, an animal chiropractor familiar with Hackman and Arakawa’s pets later confirmed that Bear is, in fact, alive. According to a report from USA Today, authorities had misidentified the dog, and it was actually Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, who was found deceased in the residence. The revelation of this error raised new concerns about the accuracy of the initial investigation.
LOS ANGELES, CA – 1996: Actor Gene Hackman poses for a portrait circa 1996 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
The remaining two dogs, Bear and Nikita, were taken into custody by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society following the discovery of their owners’ deaths. A spokesperson from the shelter later confirmed that both dogs are in their care and are in good condition despite the traumatic circumstances.
Addressing the mix-up in their official report, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Denise Womack-Avila acknowledged that an identification error may have occurred. “Our deputies do not deal with canines on a daily basis, and I cannot currently speak to the condition or state of the dog’s body upon discovery,” she said in a statement.
While this clarification helped settle concerns about the fate of Hackman and Arakawa’s beloved pets, it also drew attention to the challenges faced by investigators piecing together the couple’s final days. The fact that their bodies remained undiscovered for an extended period has led to speculation about the events that may have transpired in their secluded Santa Fe home.
Authorities are now awaiting toxicology and autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death for both Hackman and Arakawa. These reports could take several weeks to complete, and until then, law enforcement officials remain cautious in drawing definitive conclusions.
The loss of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond. Despite stepping away from acting in the early 2000s, Hackman remained an enduring figure in film history. His absence from the public eye in his later years only added to the intrigue surrounding his passing.
Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the legendary actor, with many remembering him not just for his talent on screen but also for the quiet, private life he lived with Arakawa. Their love story, spanning over 30 years, was one of the rare Hollywood romances that remained strong and largely out of the limelight.
Fans around the world continue to mourn the loss of a cinematic icon and his devoted wife, as the investigation into their deaths unfolds. With unanswered questions still lingering, the coming weeks will likely bring more clarity to the circumstances surrounding their final moments.