Topline: Authorities noted the “unusual circumstances of two decedents” in the residence, but found “no apparent signs of foul play.”
Published: February 28, 2025 8:30 am ET
Must Read
Gene Hackman, left, and wife Betsy Arakawa (via AP)
SANTA FE, NM — Authorities are puzzled after the “suspicious” deaths of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, and a dog, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65 and a dog were found deceased.
Police said an individual arrived to perform maintenance on the residence, became concerned after receiving no answer, and contacted neighborhood security to conduct a welfare check. Security then checked on the residence and observed Hackman and Arakawa on the ground unresponsive through a window and called 911.
Deputies arrived and gained access to the residence where they observed Arakawa deceased. They continued their search of the home and located Mr. Hackman in another area, also deceased.
A dog was also found deceased and two other dogs who “appeared healthy” were located on the property, officials said.
Authorities noted the “unusual circumstances of two decedents” in the residence, and a concern for scene safety.
The Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company were requested to the scene to test for carbon monoxide or other foreign elements. The scene was deemed safe and at approximately 9:30 p.m. a search warrant was issued and executed on the residence.
Investigators said there were “no apparent signs of foul play.”
In the early hours of Thursday, February 27, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator. An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals.
The manner and cause of death has not been determined, police say.
The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, and this remains an open investigation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said on NBC’s “TODAY” show that the couple could have been dead for “several days, possibly even up to a couple weeks.”
Mendoza noted toxicology reports can take up to three months or longer to be completed.
Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor known for starring in numerous iconic films, such as Hoosiers, Enemy of the State, and his last film in 2004, Welcome to Mooseport.
According to AP News, Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s. They married in 1991.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office will hold a press conference regarding the deaths at 5 p.m. EST on Friday, February 28.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Gene Hackman, Wife, and Dog in Santa Fe
Authorities noted the “unusual circumstances of two decedents” in the residence, but found “no apparent signs of foul play.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 28, 2025 8:30 am ET
Gene Hackman, left, and wife Betsy Arakawa (via AP)
SANTA FE, NM — Authorities are puzzled after the “suspicious” deaths of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, and a dog, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65 and a dog were found deceased.
Police said an individual arrived to perform maintenance on the residence, became concerned after receiving no answer, and contacted neighborhood security to conduct a welfare check. Security then checked on the residence and observed Hackman and Arakawa on the ground unresponsive through a window and called 911.
Deputies arrived and gained access to the residence where they observed Arakawa deceased. They continued their search of the home and located Mr. Hackman in another area, also deceased.
A dog was also found deceased and two other dogs who “appeared healthy” were located on the property, officials said.
Authorities noted the “unusual circumstances of two decedents” in the residence, and a concern for scene safety.
The Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company were requested to the scene to test for carbon monoxide or other foreign elements. The scene was deemed safe and at approximately 9:30 p.m. a search warrant was issued and executed on the residence.
Investigators said there were “no apparent signs of foul play.”
In the early hours of Thursday, February 27, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator. An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals.
The manner and cause of death has not been determined, police say.
The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, and this remains an open investigation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said on NBC’s “TODAY” show that the couple could have been dead for “several days, possibly even up to a couple weeks.”
Mendoza noted toxicology reports can take up to three months or longer to be completed.
Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor known for starring in numerous iconic films, such as Hoosiers, Enemy of the State, and his last film in 2004, Welcome to Mooseport.
According to AP News, Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s. They married in 1991.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office will hold a press conference regarding the deaths at 5 p.m. EST on Friday, February 28.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Gene Hackman, Wife, and Dog in Santa Fe
Authorities noted the “unusual circumstances of two decedents” in the residence, but found “no apparent signs of foul play.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 28, 2025 8:30 am ET
Gene Hackman, left, and wife Betsy Arakawa (via AP)
SANTA FE, NM — Authorities are puzzled after the “suspicious” deaths of actor Gene Hackman, his wife, and a dog, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office, deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65 and a dog were found deceased.
Police said an individual arrived to perform maintenance on the residence, became concerned after receiving no answer, and contacted neighborhood security to conduct a welfare check. Security then checked on the residence and observed Hackman and Arakawa on the ground unresponsive through a window and called 911.
Deputies arrived and gained access to the residence where they observed Arakawa deceased. They continued their search of the home and located Mr. Hackman in another area, also deceased.
A dog was also found deceased and two other dogs who “appeared healthy” were located on the property, officials said.
Authorities noted the “unusual circumstances of two decedents” in the residence, and a concern for scene safety.
The Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company were requested to the scene to test for carbon monoxide or other foreign elements. The scene was deemed safe and at approximately 9:30 p.m. a search warrant was issued and executed on the residence.
Investigators said there were “no apparent signs of foul play.”
In the early hours of Thursday, February 27, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator. An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals.
The manner and cause of death has not been determined, police say.
The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, and this remains an open investigation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said on NBC’s “TODAY” show that the couple could have been dead for “several days, possibly even up to a couple weeks.”
Mendoza noted toxicology reports can take up to three months or longer to be completed.
Hackman was an Oscar-winning actor known for starring in numerous iconic films, such as Hoosiers, Enemy of the State, and his last film in 2004, Welcome to Mooseport.
According to AP News, Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s. They married in 1991.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office will hold a press conference regarding the deaths at 5 p.m. EST on Friday, February 28.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
