Tragic Link Between Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths Revealed

SANTA FE, New Mexico — New police body camera footage has revealed somber details surrounding the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65. The couple was found dead in their home last month, and their daughter, Elizabeth, provided instructions to authorities about their pets in a heart-wrenching telephone call.

Elizabeth Hackman was recorded telling a Santa Fe County Sheriff’s officer to cremate their dog and bury its remains alongside her mother. “Yeah, I’m thinking cremate the dog and bury it with Betsy,” she stated in the footage released on Friday. Elizabeth also asked authorities to save the dog’s collar if it was still intact.

The couple was discovered in separate rooms of their estate, located in Santa Fe County. According to the sheriff’s office, Betsy Arakawa had died approximately one week prior to Hackman, reportedly from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease that can be transmitted from rodents. Meanwhile, Hackman succumbed to complications from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease.

In the released videos, deputies interact with a groundskeeper who expressed deep sorrow over the couple’s passing. “I didn’t see anything that would make me think, ‘something’s going on,’” he remarked, explaining how he was attached to the couple who had always been warm and friendly towards him. His emotional response reflected the shock of their deaths.

The condition of their bodies indicated they had been deceased for some time before being discovered. Investigators found Hackman’s body near the entryway of the home, while Arakawa’s was found in a bathroom, close to a crate containing their deceased dog, Zinna, a kelpie mix. Zinna, believed to have died from dehydration and starvation, was a beloved pet of the couple.

The couple’s other two dogs were found alive and are being rehomed with family members. A dog, tagged ‘Zinna’ for ‘Zinfandel,’ was described as being mummified due to the dry climate of New Mexico.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the couple’s deaths. While initial findings suggest natural causes, the peculiar circumstances surrounding their passing and the condition of the home are still under review.

Authorities have previously confirmed that Hackman’s death was attributed to extensive heart disease and complications from Alzheimer’s, while Betsy Arakawa’s case was attributed to hantavirus. Investigators believe that Hackman, suffering from the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, may not have been aware of his wife’s passing.

This tragic incident highlights themes of mortality, companionship, and the deep connections that exist within families, even amidst the grief of losing loved ones. More information regarding the investigation is expected to be released in the upcoming weeks.