What began as a low-key life away from the public eye for legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa ended in heartbreaking tragedy earlier this year.
The couple had spent their later years in the quiet of their Santa Fe home, but shocking new details have now emerged about the final days of their lives — including a disturbing Amazon order, unanswered cries for help, and a heartbreaking scene involving their pets.
Betsy’s Mysterious Illness and a Desperate Amazon Order
In the days leading up to her death, 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa was clearly struggling with something serious.
According to investigators, she had contracted hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare but often deadly disease spread by rodents.
It brings on flu-like symptoms at first, followed by severe respiratory issues.
Betsy seemed to know something was seriously wrong. She went online searching for information, reportedly looking up symptoms related to COVID-19, dizziness, and nosebleeds.
In one of her final actions, she ordered oxygen canisters through Amazon, possibly trying to help with breathing troubles — either hers or Gene’s.
Gene’s Failing Health and a Tragic Possibility
Just a week after Betsy died, Gene Hackman, 95, passed away too.
The Oscar-winning actor had long been dealing with heart disease and the effects of Alzheimer’s.
Some investigators believe he may not have even realized his wife had died — a deeply sad thought, considering she was his sole caregiver.
Her final email, sent to a massage therapist, mentioned that Gene had woken up on February 11 showing cold or flu symptoms, but that his COVID test was negative.
She had to cancel her appointment “out of an abundance of caution.”
A Final Public Appearance — Calm Before the Storm
Surveillance footage captured Betsy on the afternoon of February 11, just hours before her final online searches.
She was spotted calmly shopping at a Sprouts Farmers Market in Santa Fe, then stopping by a pet food store nearby.
She was alone, dressed in blue jeans, a dark coat, scarf, and face mask — and outwardly showed no signs of distress.
But behind closed doors, something tragic was unfolding.
Heartbreaking Discovery Inside the Home
When maintenance and security staff visited the Hackman home on February 26, what they found was gut-wrenching.
The couple’s partially mummified bodies were discovered amid what police described as a “hoarder-like” environment, surrounded by clutter, garbage, and signs of severe neglect.
Even more devastating — their pet dog Zinna, a 12-year-old kelpie mix, had died in her crate.
She’d been left trapped inside following a recent vet visit, unable to escape after Arakawa died.
The crate was in a bathroom just feet from Betsy’s body. A red blanket covered the top, weighed down with papers, while other items cluttered the floor.
Emotional Reactions From the Public
The tragic death of Zinna hit people hard. Online commenters expressed sadness and outrage.
“I feel so bad for the dog :(,” one person wrote. Another added, “It had to be so distressing on the other dogs seeing him or her trying to get out.”
Others couldn’t help but wonder if the situation could have been prevented, especially as Arakawa was caring for both Gene and the pets, all while falling seriously ill herself.
Two Dogs Survive and Find a New Home
Thankfully, not all of the Hackmans’ dogs met the same fate.
Their two other beloved pets — Bear, a German shepherd, and Nikita, an Akita-shepherd mix — were rescued and have since been rehomed.
But the images from police bodycam footage are haunting. One of the surviving dogs was found guarding Betsy’s lifeless body, a loyal companion until the very end.
A Glimpse Into Their Private World
The inside of the couple’s Santa Fe mansion was cluttered with decades of belongings — piles of clothes, pill packets, dog beds, and memorabilia from their life together.
Among the chaos, investigators found handwritten notes exchanged between Gene and Betsy, touching reminders of the love they shared.
Photos of their dogs and snapshots of their life together still sat on tables, telling the story of a couple who clearly adored each other and their pets — even as their world quietly collapsed around them.
Official Records Released to the Public
The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department recently released bodycam footage and documents related to the case after a judge ruled them public record.
The files had initially been sealed to respect the Hackman family’s privacy, but the full scope of the tragedy is now clear.
According to New Mexico’s Department of Public Health, a rat infestation in the home was the likely source of the hantavirus that killed Betsy.
It’s a rare disease, but in this case, it proved deadly — and tragically, it might have gone unnoticed in time to make a difference.
A Sobering End to a Storied Life
Gene Hackman’s film legacy spans decades, with unforgettable roles and two Oscars to his name.
But his final chapter was not written on a movie set — it was one of quiet tragedy, tucked away from the spotlight.
Now, with the details emerging, the world is left not only mourning the loss of a Hollywood legend and his devoted wife, but also grappling with how something so heartbreaking could happen so silently behind closed doors.