New Evidence Reveals Troubling Conditions at Gene Hackman’s Home

Santa Fe, New Mexico — The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office released new videos and photographs Tuesday detailing the disordered living conditions of late actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, nearly two months after their passing. The footage, obtained through police body cameras, presents an unsettling glimpse into their multimillion-dollar property, now the subject of an ongoing investigation.

Officers documented various parts of the sprawling compound, revealing overflowing clutter in the kitchen and private bedrooms. Items included dog crates, clothing, groceries, and personal effects, indicating a chaotic living environment. Some areas appeared somewhat organized; however, many rooms were filled with debris, and disturbing findings included a blood-stained pillow and remnants of animal waste in a bathroom.

Body-cam footage captured officers commenting on the unpleasant odor upon entering the residence, with one officer noting the discovery of Arakawa’s body in a nearby area. In a March interview, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, described their parents as “very private” individuals who avoided inviting outsiders into their home. They stated that their last contact with Hackman and Arakawa occurred around 18 months ago during a lunch together.

The newly released materials provide a clearer picture of the couple’s living conditions prior to their deaths. Reports have surfaced indicating that their $4 million estate became a “breeding ground” for infestations, with various dead rodents found across the property, although the public health department assessed that the main house lacked signs of infestation. Evidence suggests that Hackman and Arakawa may have been unaware of their home’s deteriorating state. Prior to her death, Arakawa had expressed concerns regarding Hackman’s health.

On February 11, Arakawa reportedly emailed a friend, stating, “G woke up today with flu/cold-like symptoms, did a COVID test, negative.” Following that email, she also purchased multiple Boost Oxygen canisters, indicating her worry about potential health issues. Ultimately, her death was linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare rodent-borne virus, at the age of 65.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza disclosed at a press conference in March that Arakawa was last seen alive on February 12, while her husband reportedly passed shortly before they were found on February 26. Their bodies were discovered by a longtime contractor, who described the situation as profoundly distressing.

At the same press conference, New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell announced that Hackman, 95, died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease being a significant contributing factor. Local officials noted that Hackman may have been unaware of his surrounding conditions due to his mental state.

Among the couple’s pets, one dog tragically died after being trapped in a crate, though the two remaining dogs survived, reportedly having access to food and water in other areas of the property. Hackman and Arakawa were interred in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on April 15, during a private service attended by their family, including Hackman’s three children.

Following Hackman’s death, there have been ongoing discussions regarding his substantial estate, estimated at approximately $80 million, with questions surrounding his children’s inclusion in the will, which had not been updated since 2005. The sealed investigation records, including autopsy and police body-camera footage, have left many details of their final days under scrutiny.