Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, N.M. – The circumstances surrounding the deaths of acclaimed actor Gene Hackman, 94, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, remain shrouded in mystery, prompting a thorough investigation by Santa Fe authorities. The couple was discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, triggering a wave of questions and sparking a complex puzzle for investigators to piece together.
Adding his perspective to the investigation, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya shared his insights regarding the possible timeline of the couple’s passing. Speaking with Fox News Digital, Moya stated that based on the condition of the bodies, experts believe the couple may have died around the same time. He emphasized, "Just because both bodies were in similar ways where we, as experts, sad to say that we know a lot about how people die and how long people are dead for – both bodies are in a similar manner that it could be a similar timeframe."
While Moya was not among the first responders to arrive at the Hackman residence following the 911 call, he was informed that the property sprawled across 9,000 square feet and included three separate structures. According to Moya, his paramedic indicated that Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog, initially identified as Zinna, were found within the same building.
To ensure safety, first responders thoroughly inspected all structures for gas leaks. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed during a press conference that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Sheriff Mendoza also revealed that the last recorded activity on Hackman’s pacemaker occurred on February 17. Authorities initially speculated that this date marked Hackman’s last day alive, as his body was not discovered until nine days later.
Fire Chief Moya disclosed that the Santa Fe Fire Department and emergency medical services had not been called to the Hackman residence in the three years since he became chief. The fire department’s involvement in the investigation concluded on February 27, with the case subsequently transferred to the Sheriff’s Department.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation
The deaths of Hackman and Arakawa have left authorities in Santa Fe grappling with a perplexing case. Detectives have described the circumstances surrounding their deaths as "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," as stated in a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital.
The couple was discovered by maintenance workers Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay, with Kesler, a personal contractor for the couple for 16 years, placing the urgent 911 call on February 26.
During the initial inspection of the residence, detectives recovered two cellphones, an orange prescription bottle, and a 2025 planner, as detailed in the search warrant affidavit.
Officials revealed that Arakawa’s body exhibited signs of decomposition, including bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet. The deceased dog was found approximately 10-15 feet away from Arakawa, located in a closet of the bathroom, according to the search warrant affidavit.
Hackman’s body also displayed similar signs of decomposition. Deputy Thomas, based on the scene, suspected that Hackman may have "suddenly fallen" at the time of his death.
Misidentification of Deceased Dog
Adding a layer of complexity to the investigation, sheriffs have acknowledged a misstep in the initial identification of the dog found deceased in the Hackman home.
Fox News Digital confirmed that the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department incorrectly identified the breed of the dog found near Arakawa’s body. The owner of Santa Fe Tails, a pet care facility that took in Hackman’s two surviving dogs, clarified that the deceased dog was of a different breed than what was initially documented in the search warrant affidavit.
While Zinna, a mixed-breed dog, was found in a kennel within a bathroom closet near Arakawa, investigators initially reported the discovery of a "deceased brown in color German-Shepard canine," as stated in the search warrant.
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila acknowledged the misidentification, explaining that deputies "don’t work with canines on a daily basis," according to The Associated Press.
Arakawa and Hackman were known to own two German Shepherds, Bear, aged 4, and Nikita, aged 7.
The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remains active and ongoing, with authorities diligently working to unravel the mystery surrounding their passing. The combination of unusual circumstances, the timeline of events, and the initial misidentification of evidence presents a challenging case for Santa Fe authorities as they seek to determine the truth behind this tragic event.
