Law enforcement’s admission of a mistake at the crime site has led the investigation into the deaths of Hollywood great Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in an unexpected turn. Authorities are still investigating the mystery surrounding their death as fresh information becomes available, leaving fans, friends, and family in the dark.
When Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were tragically found at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home last Wednesday, February 27, authorities first thought there was no evidence of foul play. But fresh information in the case has led to a thorough inquiry. According to reports, the couple had been dead for a long time before their bodies were discovered, and some accounts claim that their remains were partially mummified. One of the couple’s cherished dogs was also found deceased inside the house.
At the time of his death, Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner who starred in Superman, Unforgiven, and The French Connection, was 95 years old. In a separate section of the house resided his wife, Betsy Arakawa, a former concert pianist and his partner of over thirty years. Arakawa was found in the restroom next to a bottle of prescription medication, which Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has described as a “significant” piece of evidence. Hackman’s body was found in a mudroom.
Elizabeth Jean Hackman, Hackman’s daughter, expressed her family’s hesitancy about the cause of the tragedy in the days after their deaths. She guessed that it might be carbon monoxide poisoning. In an interview with TMZ, Elizabeth clarified that the house was constructed in 2000 and was considered pretty new. “However, we are unaware of any recent service calls to the property or whether there were any problems with gas leaks.”
But since then, scientists have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the reason. After testing the entire house, the Santa Fe City Fire Department discovered no indications of leaks or dangerous gas concentrations. Likewise, an independent inspection by the New Mexico Gas Company confirmed that no carbon monoxide was found.
Authorities examined data from Hackman’s pacemaker in an attempt to establish the chronology of events. On Friday, February 28, Sheriff Mendoza verified that the device had recorded its last heartbeat on February 17, indicating that Hackman most likely died on that day, more than a week before his body was found.
A fresh discovery has emerged amid ongoing forensic investigations, revealing an error in the original police report. The deceased dog discovered inside the house was initially identified by investigators as a German Shepherd. Many of the couple’s close acquaintances assumed that Bear, their beloved pet, had died with them because of this information.
Nevertheless, Bear’s survival was later verified by an animal chiropractor acquainted with Hackman and Arakawa’s pets. Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, was discovered dead in the house after officials misidentified the dog, according to a USA Today article. The discovery of this mistake sparked fresh questions regarding the validity of the original inquiry.
After the deaths of their owners were discovered, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society took possession of the two canines that remained, Bear and Nikita. Later, a shelter representative affirmed that both canines are under their care and are doing well in spite of the stressful situation.
An identification error might have happened, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Denise Womack-Avila, who addressed the confusion in their official report. “At this time, I am unable to comment on the condition or state of the dog’s body upon discovery, as our deputies do not deal with dogs on a daily basis,” she said in a statement.
This explanation raised questions about what happened to Hackman and Arakawa’s cherished dogs, but it also highlighted the difficulties detectives had in assembling the couple’s last days. There has been conjecture on what might have happened in their remote Santa Fe home because their bodies were not found for a long time.
In order to ascertain the precise cause of death for both Hackman and Arakawa, authorities are still awaiting toxicology and autopsy reports. Law enforcement officials are still wary about making firm judgments until these reports are finished, which may take several weeks.
Hollywood and beyond have been rocked by the deaths of Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman. Even after retiring from performing in the early 2000s, Hackman continued to be a significant figure in movie history. The mystery surrounding his death was only heightened by his subsequent years of seclusion from the public eye.
Colleagues and friends have honored the renowned actor, with many recalling him for his peaceful, private life with Arakawa as well as his on-screen prowess. One of the few Hollywood romances that last for more than 30 years and was mostly kept out of the spotlight was their love tale.
As the investigation into the deaths of a movie hero and his loyal wife continues, fans worldwide are still grieving their loss. The events surrounding their last moments will probably become clearer in the upcoming weeks, as there are still many unresolved questions.
Peace be with you, Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman.