US investigators are working to determine how Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, died after their bodies were discovered at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The deceased Hollywood legend, known for iconic films like The French Connection and The Conversation, was found alongside his wife and one of their dogs under mysterious circumstances.
How Gene Hackman and His Wife’s Bodies Were Discovered
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found by police on Wednesday at their home on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park. A maintenance worker called emergency services after making the grim discovery. According to a 911 recording obtained by the BBC, the emotional caller described finding Hackman in a side room near the kitchen and Arakawa in a bathroom.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that the couple appeared to have been “dead for quite a while.” Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition and mummification in the hands and feet, while Hackman’s remains displayed similar signs of death. A German Shepherd dog belonging to the couple was also found dead in a bathroom closet near Arakawa.
Possible Causes of Death for Gene Hackman and Wife
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death but are treating the case as suspicious. No signs of injury were reported, but investigators have not ruled out foul play. A portable heater near Arakawa’s head suggested the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, though utility companies found no evidence of a gas leak or carbon monoxide in the home.
Toxicology tests have been requested for both Hackman and Arakawa. A prescription bottle and scattered pills were found on the bathroom counter near Arakawa’s body, adding to the mystery. Hackman was discovered wearing casual clothing, with sunglasses and a walking cane nearby, leading detectives to suspect he may have suffered a sudden fall.
Why Are the Deaths Considered Suspicious?
The deaths were deemed “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough investigation” after the maintenance worker found the front door of the property open. However, there were no signs of forced entry, struggle, or missing items, according to Sheriff Mendoza. Two other dogs were found alive and healthy on the property, further complicating the investigation.
The last known contact with the couple was two weeks prior to the discovery of their bodies. Maintenance workers, who occasionally performed routine tasks at the property, communicated primarily with Arakawa via phone and text. They rarely saw Hackman and Arakawa in person, making it difficult to establish a precise timeline of events.
A Brief Look Into Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Health
Hackman’s daughter, Leslie Anne Hackman, told Daily Mail Online that her father was in “very good physical condition” despite his age. He practiced Pilates and yoga several times a week and had not undergone any major surgeries recently.
She credited Arakawa, whom Hackman married in 1991, for taking excellent care of him and maintaining their “wonderful marriage.”
The mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa have as expected, sparked widespread public interest. As investigators await toxicology results and continue their search for answers, fans of the Hollywood legend are left mourning and questioning the loss of one of cinema’s most iconic figures.
