Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog had been deceased for some time, according to the warrant.

Actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, attend the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday, January 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

By  NEWS BLEND 360

Updated 9:24 PM EST, February 27, 2025

SANTA FE, N.M. (NB360) — Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, his wife, and one of their dogs were apparently deceased for a period before a maintenance worker discovered their bodies at their Santa Fe residence, investigators reported.

Hackman, 95, was discovered dead on Wednesday in an entryway, while his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found in a bathroom next to a space heater, according to a search warrant affidavit by Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office detectives. An open prescription bottle and pills were found scattered on a countertop near Arakawa.

Denise Avila, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, stated there was no evidence of gunshot wounds or any injuries.

Following the discovery of the bodies, the New Mexico Gas Co. inspected the gas lines in and around the home as per the warrant. At that time, no issues were detected, and the Fire Department found no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. A detective noted there were no apparent signs of a gas leak, but mentioned that individuals exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide might not exhibit signs of poisoning.

The gruff yet beloved Hackman was one of the most accomplished actors of his era, portraying villains, heroes, and antiheroes in numerous dramas, comedies, and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

“He was loved and admired by millions worldwide for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa,” his daughters and granddaughter expressed in a statement on Thursday. “We will miss him deeply and are devastated by the loss.”

Law enforcement officials converse outside actor Gene Hackman’s home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found deceased in the residence the previous day. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales)

Worker found bodies of Hackman and his wife

As stated in the search warrant affidavit, a maintenance worker noted the front door of the home was open when he arrived for routine work on Wednesday, leading him to call the police after discovering the bodies.

However, during a 911 call, the maintenance worker mentioned he couldn't enter the house when asked by the operator if the people inside were breathing.

“I have no idea,” said the subdivision’s caretaker. “I am not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked. I can’t go in. But I can see she’s lying on the floor through the window.”

He and another worker later informed authorities that they seldom saw the homeowners and their last interaction with them was about two weeks prior.

Actor Gene Hackman waves as he heads out for a practice run in his Toyota Celica at Daytona International Speedway on February 5, 1983, preparing for the Daytona 24 Hour Endurance Race. This event marks the beginning of Hackman’s career as a professional driver. (AP Photo/Bob Self, File)

A deputy noted that Hackman appeared to have fallen, with a cane nearby.

Police reported finding a deceased German shepherd in a bathroom closet near Arakawa. During a press conference on Thursday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated the dog was found in a kennel. Two healthy dogs were also located on the property — one inside and one outside.

“There was no indication of a struggle,” Mendoza stated. “There was no sign of anything missing from the home or disturbed, suggesting a crime had occurred.”

Sheriff’s officials mentioned that the autopsy results for both bodies are not yet available, with carbon monoxide and toxicology test results still pending.

The search warrant affidavit implies that police are considering the possibility of “some kind of gas poisoning,” but they are still uncertain and not excluding any possibilities, according to Loyola Marymount University law professor Laurie Levenson.

“They lack concrete evidence of it being a homicide, yet they are requesting blunt instruments or other potential weapons,” said Levenson, who is not involved in the investigation. “It also doesn’t appear to be a planned double-suicide.”

Jeffrey Bellin, a professor at William & Mary Law School, noted that the search warrant request was somewhat unusual since investigators typically file one when they believe a specific crime has occurred. In this instance, no crime was specified, Bellin mentioned.

According to Bellin, who is also not part of the investigation, police usually exaggerate what they know, but this case is the opposite.

“I found it to be very cautious, unlike many search warrant affidavits,” he commented.

Actors Christopher Reeve, left, and costar Gene Hackman arrive at the premiere of the movie "Superman" in Los Angeles, Ca., on Dec. 15, 1978. (APhoto/Reed Saxon, File)

Actor known for his versatility

Hackman frequently appeared on lists of the greatest American actors of the 20th century in Hollywood. He was versatile, capable of portraying a wide range of characters, from the comic book villain Lex Luthor in “Superman” to a coach seeking redemption in the heartfelt film “Hoosiers.”

Hackman received five Oscar nominations, winning best actor in a leading role for “The French Connection” in 1972 and best actor in a supporting role for “Unforgiven” two decades later. His passing occurs just four days before this year’s ceremony.

Tributes swiftly flowed in from Hollywood.

“There was no finer actor than Gene,” actor-director Clint Eastwood, Hackman’s “Unforgiven” co-star, stated. “Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss greatly.”

Hackman and Arakawa settled in Santa Fe

Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist from Hawaii, while she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s. They quickly moved in together and relocated to Santa Fe by the decade's end.

Their Southwestern-style ranch on Old Sunset Trail is situated on a hill within a gated community, offering views of the Rocky Mountains. The expansive four-bedroom home, set on 6 acres (2.4 hectares), was constructed in 1997 and had an estimated market value of just over $4 million, as per Santa Fe County property tax records.

Hackman and his wife also owned a smaller home next door.

Hackman co-authored three novels, beginning with the adventure tale “Wake of the Perdido Star,” alongside Daniel Lenihan in 1999, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. He later wrote two novels on his own, finishing with “Pursuit” in 2013, which follows a female police officer chasing a predator.

During his first two decades in New Mexico, Hackman was frequently seen in the historic state capital, known for being an artist enclave, tourist destination, and celebrity retreat.

He served on the board of trustees for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum from 1997 to 2004, as stated by the museum.

Hackman’s later years

In recent years, he was much less in the public eye, though even his most ordinary outings attracted media attention. There were reports of him attending a performance at an arts center in 2018, as well as filling up his car, doing yard work, and getting a chicken sandwich at Wendy’s in 2023.

Apart from attending award shows, he was seldom seen in Hollywood's social scene and retired from acting around 20 years ago. His was one of the few Hollywood retirements that truly endured.

Hackman had three children from a prior marriage. He and Arakawa did not have children together but were known for having German shepherds.

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This story was updated to correct Arakawa’s age. Authorities initially reported she was 63 years old, but records indicate she was 65. It was also corrected to reflect that Hackman spoke to Empire magazine in 2009, not 2020.