Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on February 26. While no signs of external trauma were discovered, authorities consider the scene “suspicious enough” to investigate further.
An affidavit revealed unusual details, including an unlocked front door, prescription pills scattered near Betsy’s body, and one of their three dogs found dead while the other two remained healthy. Betsy was discovered on the bathroom floor near a space heater, while Gene was in a mudroom with his cane and sunglasses nearby. Investigators noted both may have “suddenly fallen.”
Tests ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, and authorities are examining items such as cellphones, documents, and potential weapons. The sheriff confirmed the couple had been deceased for some time.
Hackman, a legendary Hollywood actor, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, married in 1991. Their deaths have left fans mourning the loss of a cinematic icon and his wife, marking what many call “the end of an era.”
