Gene Hackman and Wife Found Dead in Santa Fe Home; Investigation Underway
The tranquil atmosphere of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been disrupted by the unsettling discovery of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, deceased within their residence. The couple’s deaths, discovered over a week ago, have prompted a thorough investigation by local authorities, who have characterized the circumstances as suspicious.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department is meticulously piecing together the events leading to the couple’s demise, treating the case as a potential criminal matter pending the results of autopsies and toxicology reports. The absence of visible external trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa has further deepened the mystery surrounding their deaths.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza addressed the press on Friday, February 28, acknowledging the complexities of the investigation. He noted the unusual challenge of constructing a timeline of events, stating, "One of the things is, in an investigation, we try to piece the timeline together, usually before the event happens, and that gives us a lot of information. But in this case, it seems like we’re doing a reverse timeline."
Mendoza elaborated on the investigative approach, stating, "We’re doing a timeline from the time of death and the autopsy and the results. We’re going to start working our way backwards. We’re going to do both and then hopefully make a determination as to what may have happened to both of the individuals."
The investigation gained momentum with the release of a search warrant inventory list, revealing items retrieved from the Hackman residence. These items include two cell phones, MyQuest records, a 2025 planner, thyroid medication, blood pressure medication, and Tylenol. Notably, an open orange prescription bottle, along with scattered pills, was discovered near Arakawa’s body, adding another layer of intrigue to the investigation.
The grim discovery was made on Wednesday, February 26, by maintenance workers Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay. Kesler, who had served as a personal contractor for the couple for 16 years, placed the urgent 911 call that initiated the investigation.
According to the search warrant affidavit, Arakawa was found lying on the floor in the bathroom of the couples home near a space heater, showing "obvious signs of death." Hackman’s body was located in the mudroom nearby, with his cane and sunglasses found close to his body.
Adding to the macabre details, officials revealed that Arakawa’s body exhibited signs of decomposition, including bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet. Hackman’s body also showed similar signs of decomposition.
Authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death, as tests conducted at the residence by the Santa Fe City Fire Department revealed no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. Sheriff Mendoza also confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide.
The New Mexico Gas Company conducted a thorough investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide on February 26, according to a release obtained by Fox News Digital. While the investigation revealed "no significant findings" at the couples secluded home, there was a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air – not a lethal amount) at one of the stove burners." Additionally, there were four "red tags" for code enforcement violations, involving "a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces."
Adding to the timeline puzzle, Mendoza confirmed that the last recorded activity on Hackman’s pacemaker occurred on February 17. Authorities are operating under the assumption that this was Hackman’s last day alive, as his body was not discovered for nine more days. "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life," Mendoza stated.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and authorities are diligently working to gather all available evidence to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. The absence of external trauma, the presence of prescription medications, and the decomposition of the bodies have all contributed to the complex nature of the case.
The couple’s secluded lifestyle in Santa Fe has also presented challenges to investigators, as they attempt to reconstruct their final days. The community has expressed shock and sadness at the news of their passing, and the world awaits answers as the investigation unfolds. The investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided as they become available.
