Investigation Underway After Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead in New Mexico Home

Santa Fe, New Mexico — U.S. investigators are probing the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, after their bodies were discovered at their home on Wednesday. Authorities indicated that evidence suggests Hackman died on February 17, days before the couple’s bodies were found.

The couple was located in their residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park after a maintenance worker called emergency services, reporting the distressing scene. In an emotionally charged 911 call, the worker described finding two bodies inside the property.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza noted that both individuals appeared to have been deceased for an extended period. Hackman was discovered in a side room while Arakawa was found in the bathroom. Signs of decomposition were apparent on Arakawa’s body, as well as signs consistent with mummification, while Hackman’s remains displayed similar indications.

The couple’s German Shepherd dog was also found dead in the bathroom closet near Arakawa. Sheriff Mendoza stated, “There was no indication of a struggle,” adding that everything inside the home appeared undisturbed, with no forced entry detected.

Authorities have characterized the deaths as “suspicious enough” to warrant further investigation, yet they reported no immediate signs of foul play or injury. A carbon monoxide poisoning test conducted posthumously returned negative results. In the bathroom, a portable heater was located near Arakawa’s head, raising questions about the circumstances of their deaths.

Additionally, a prescription bottle with pills for thyroid and high blood pressure was found on the bathroom countertop. The pair were reportedly in good health according to Hackman’s daughter, who remarked on her father’s ongoing commitment to Pilates and yoga, stating he had not undergone any major surgeries recently. “He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week,” she said.

The maintenance workers who discovered the scene indicated they had not seen the couple in about two weeks, explaining they primarily communicated via phone or text, often with Arakawa. The couple married in 1991 were described by their daughter as having a “wonderful marriage,” highlighting Arakawa’s dedication to Hackman’s well-being.

Local authorities are awaiting results from autopsy and toxicology tests, which could take several months for analysis. As the investigation continues, Sheriff Mendoza emphasized the case’s complexity due to its unusual circumstances and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the timeline of events leading to the couple’s deaths.