Search warrant reveals new details in Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths
New details have emerged in the investigation into Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s deaths. A search warrant reveals key findings—here’s what we know.
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead in their Santa Fe home, according to authorities. A maintenance worker made the grim discovery when he arrived for routine work on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, and found the front door wide open. Investigators believe the couple and one of their German shepherds had been dead for some time before being found.
A search warrant released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has provided new insights into the case, though the exact cause of death remains undetermined.
Investigation reveals no immediate signs of foul play
Authorities found Gene Hackman in the home’s mudroom wearing a blue t-shirt, gray sweatpants, and slippers. A cane and sunglasses were nearby, and deputies noted that he appeared to have fallen before his death. Betsy Arakawa was found in a bathroom next to a space heater, with an open prescription bottle and scattered pills on the countertop.
Key Findings from the Search Warrant:
- No visible gunshot wounds or injuries on either Hackman or Arakawa.
- No signs of forced entry into the home.
- No carbon monoxide leaks or gas line issues, according to New Mexico Gas Co.
- A deceased German shepherd found in a bathroom closet.
Gene Hackman also played 'Lex Luthor' in Superman. Photo: Hola
The Santa Fe Fire Department conducted tests for carbon monoxide poisoning but found no immediate evidence of toxic exposure. However, officials have not ruled out poisoning as a possibility, as symptoms may not always be externally visible.
Worker discovered the open door and called police
The couple had not been seen for at least two weeks, according to a maintenance worker and another employee familiar with the property. When the worker arrived to perform routine home maintenance, he noticed the front door ajar and immediately called the police after finding the bodies inside.
Hackman’s two remaining dogs—one inside and one outside—were found alive at the property.
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Hackman and Arakawa’s life in Santa Fe
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, a classically trained pianist, met in the mid-1980s when she worked part-time at a California gym. They moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they built a $4 million estate in 1997.
Hackman’s Santa Fe Home Details:
- Location: Gated community with Rocky Mountain views.
- Size: Four-bedroom ranch-style home on six acres.
- Additional Property: Owned a second, smaller home next door.
Despite his retirement from acting in the early 2000s, Hackman remained active in New Mexico’s artistic and cultural scene, serving on the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum board in the 1990s.