Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 28, 2025.
Along with the couple’s bodies, authorities discovered the lifeless remains of their dog, Zinna, but two of their other dogs managed to survive thanks to an unlikely escape route: a doggy door.
The tragic scene has left many questions unanswered, and the cause of their deaths remains under investigation as authorities await toxicology reports.
A Devastating Discovery
The couple, who had been living in their $3.8 million home, were found next to their deceased dog, Zinna, who was located in a kennel in a bathroom closet.
The dog’s proximity to their remains suggests it was there for some time before being discovered. However, the couple’s other two dogs, Bear and Nikita, managed to survive, thanks to the doggy door that allowed them to roam freely and access food and water outside.
Joey Padilla, who cared for the couple’s pets at Santa Fe Tails pet care, reported that both dogs are currently receiving care.
While Bear was found near Arakawa’s body, Nikita was found outside the home.
Zinna, who had a special bond with Betsy, was a dog that Hackman and Arakawa had adopted after she was returned to a shelter.
According to Padilla, Zinna’s relationship with Betsy was incredibly strong.
However, it’s still unclear why Zinna did not survive when the other two dogs did.
There were scattered pills near Arakawa’s body, though it’s uncertain whether Zinna ingested them or if something else led to her death.
The Mystery Deepens
As the investigation into the couple’s deaths continues, authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, as both bodies tested negative for it, and no gas leaks were found in or around the house.
Arakawa’s body was discovered with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered around, while Hackman’s remains were found in the entryway, with his cane and glasses beside him.
It’s possible Hackman fell just before his death, but it remains unclear who passed away first.
Authorities initially considered foul play but have since dismissed that theory, noting there were no signs of external trauma or forced entry into the home.
The couple’s deaths are now being treated as unexplained, but police don’t suspect anyone else was involved.
Hackman’s pacemaker last recorded activity on February 17, suggesting he may have died nine days before the bodies were found.
A Private Life and a Lasting Legacy
Hackman, who turned 95 in January, had become reclusive in his later years after retiring from acting in 2004.
He had settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after filming a movie there in the 1980s and loved the tranquility of the area, where locals left him in peace.
Over the years, friends occasionally shared glimpses of his post-acting life, including social media posts from fishing trips, while also honoring his iconic roles in cinema.
With a net worth of $80 million, Hackman had a long and successful career, earning five Oscar nominations and winning two for The French Connection (1972) and Unforgiven (1992).
His death came just days before the 2025 Academy Awards, which only added to the intrigue surrounding his passing.
Hackman met Betsy Arakawa, a pianist, in the mid-1980s when she worked at a gym in California.
They moved in together and, by the end of the decade, had settled in Santa Fe.
Hackman’s death marks the end of an era for one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, leaving behind a legacy of memorable roles and an enigmatic final chapter.