Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. Hackman, 95, had likely died nine days earlier, on February 17, based on the last signal from his pacemaker, authorities revealed. The cause of death remains undetermined.
Hackman, a two-time Oscar-winning actor, and Arakawa, 64, were discovered in separate rooms of their residence. The sheriff ruled out foul play, confirming that toxicology tests for carbon monoxide poisoning returned negative results. However, investigators found scattered prescription pills in the bathroom where Arakawa was located, raising concerns that are now being further examined.
A caretaker in their gated community discovered the bodies after peering through a window and alerted emergency services. Deputies later found Hackman in the kitchen while Arakawa was in a bathroom, accompanied by one of their three dogs. Two other dogs were seen moving in and out of the house through an ajar door at the back of the property.
Authorities seized various pieces of evidence, including prescription medications, mobile phones, and health records, for further investigation. A toxicology report, expected to take at least three months, will help determine if medication played a role in their deaths.
Hackman, a former Marine, had an illustrious acting career spanning over five decades. He first gained recognition with an Oscar-nominated role in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde and won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1972 for his portrayal of Popeye Doyle in The French Connection. His second Oscar came in 1993 as Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven.
Despite his fame, Hackman and Arakawa led a private life in Santa Fe, where they were known for their involvement in the local art and culinary scene. In recent years, Hackman’s health had declined, and the couple was rarely seen in public.
The shocking discovery of their deaths has left the entertainment industry and fans mourning the loss of one of Hollywood’s most revered actors and his beloved wife. Further updates on the investigation are expected as authorities analyze key evidence.
