In a haunting new bodycam video, the distressing moments following the discovery of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s bodies are captured.
The footage shows the couple’s dog, Nikita, a mix of Akita and shepherd, running frantically around their garden in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The dog’s frantic behavior follows the discovery of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, who were found dead in separate areas of their home.
Staffer Tries to Calm the Dog
In the video, one of the couple’s staff members is seen attempting to calm the dog, who appears visibly distressed.
The worker throws several dog treats in an attempt to coax Nikita closer.
The dog briefly appears on a hillside before running off again, prompting the officer to comment, “She must be hungry,” as he watches the animal escape once more.
The Tragic Events Leading to Their Deaths
Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered dead at their Santa Fe home on February 26.
Hackman’s death was attributed to heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease playing a significant role.
Arakawa, who had been Hackman’s caregiver, passed away a week earlier from hantavirus, a serious respiratory illness contracted from infected rodents.
Discovery of the Couple’s Pets
The couple’s pets were also deeply affected by the tragedy.
A second dog, a kelpie mix named Zinna, was found locked in a crate near Arakawa’s body, having died from dehydration and starvation.
Zinna had apparently been crated after a visit to the vet, with an autopsy confirming that the dog had an empty stomach at the time of death.
Nikita and another dog, Bear, a German Shepherd, were eventually captured and rehomed separately.
Heartbreaking Details and Unanswered Questions
A dog trainer who had worked with the couple’s pets described Hackman and Arakawa as “nuts” about their dogs, showing just how much the animals meant to them.
Investigators believe Hackman likely passed away around February 18, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease being a major factor.
Arakawa’s death, a week earlier, was caused by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is contracted through contact with infected rodents.
Both of their bodies were discovered in separate rooms, in a state of partial mummification.
Hackman’s body was found near the home’s entryway, while Arakawa was discovered in a bathroom.
Initial Investigation and Privacy Concerns
At first, the deaths were deemed suspicious by authorities.
However, there were no signs of forced entry, and nothing in the home appeared disturbed.
Investigators noted that a fan had fallen near Arakawa, and she was surrounded by scattered prescription pills, which led to the belief that she may have fallen.
The couple’s estate has since taken legal action to prevent the release of images and video showing the couple’s bodies or the inside of their home.
Hackman’s family filed a petition, citing the need to protect their privacy during a time of grief under the 14th Amendment.
Legal Complications and Unresolved Matters
As the investigation continues, Hackman’s children—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie—are waiting to learn more about their father’s final wishes.
There is still uncertainty regarding where Hackman and Arakawa’s remains will be laid to rest.
While the couple lived in New Mexico for many years, it remains unclear whether their bodies will be buried locally or transported across state lines to California, where Hackman’s children reside.