Last week veteran Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, and one of their pet dogs were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, according to police reports. A suspicious death investigation is ongoing.

A maintenance worker performing pest control at the residence discovered their bodies and immediately alerted authorities.

A police search warrant indicated that Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate rooms and appeared to have been "dead for some time." Preliminary medical investigations found no external trauma on either body.

https://usaherald.com/gene-hackman-and-wife-betsy-arakawa-found-dead-in-santa-fe-home/

Timeline of Deaths

 At a press conference, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed that an examination by Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s Chief Medical Investigator, determined that Hackman’s pacemaker had stopped functioning ten days before his body was discovered.

"An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025," Mendoza stated.

When asked if that meant Hackman had died that day, he responded, "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life."

Authorities confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning. A subsequent property inspection also ruled out any gas leaks.

Suspicious Death Investigation Search Warrant 

While Sheriff Mendoza initially stated that foul play was not suspected, a search warrant affidavit later deemed the deaths "suspicious" and required further investigation.

Police discovered a black space heater near Arakawa’s body in the bathroom. "An officer advised he suspected the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground," the report stated.

Investigators also noted the presence of an open prescription bottle on the bathroom countertop, with pills scattered nearby. The medications included an unspecified thyroid drug, Tylenol, and diltiazem, a medication for high blood pressure.

Her body exhibited signs of “mummification," indicating she had been dead for a significant period.

Hackman’s Declining Health 

Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, was known for roles in The French Connection, The Conversation, and Superman. He won Academy Awards for The French Connection and Unforgiven before retiring from acting following 2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums.

Following his retirement, Hackman wrote two books and co-authored three books.

Friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, who had a 30-year friendship with the couple, shared insights into his declining health in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.

"Hackman had become essentially kind of home-bound," Daniel Lenihan said. Barbara added that about a year ago, he had "quit riding his bike through the neighborhood."

Aaron Lenihan noted that "Betsy tried to keep him kind of active and engaged," encouraging him to do puzzles and participate in yoga sessions via Zoom. "She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible," he said.

In the final months before his passing, Hackman’s condition reportedly deteriorated further. "He was really slipping there," Barbara remarked. She also noted that "Betsy was in perfect health" and "was so fit."

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths.