Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday afternoon in their Santa Fe home, authorities confirmed. Although investigators have not uncovered immediate signs of foul play, the unusual circumstances surrounding their deaths have prompted a full-scale investigation.
Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputies discovered Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, along with one of their three dogs, deceased inside their Hyde Park-area home. The house’s front door was ajar when maintenance workers, who had last seen the couple about two weeks earlier, arrived for a scheduled visit and found them unresponsive. The workers dialed 911 at approximately 1:43 p.m.
An Unusual and Mysterious Scene
According to a search warrant affidavit, Hackman and Arakawa were found lying in separate rooms. Hackman’s body was discovered in a mudroom near the kitchen, sunglasses resting on the floor beside him. Arakawa was found on the bathroom floor, near a countertop and an overturned space heater. An open pill bottle was also observed on the counter, with scattered pills next to it.
One of the couple’s German Shepherds was found dead inside a bathroom closet, while another dog was discovered alive next to Arakawa. A third dog was roaming the property when deputies arrived.
The home showed no signs of forced entry or apparent struggle. Authorities tested for carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks, but preliminary results found no immediate evidence of either. However, Detective Roy Arndt, the lead investigator, noted in his affidavit that exposure to poisonous gas can cause “immediate and unexpected death” without visible injuries.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza acknowledged that while there were no clear signs of foul play, the circumstances were “suspicious enough” to warrant further examination.
A Storied Career and a Quiet Life in Santa Fe
Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, won Academy Awards for The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992). He became a household name with roles in Bonnie and Clyde, Superman, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Mississippi Burning.
Beyond his film career, Hackman spent over three decades in Santa Fe, where he and Arakawa became prominent figures in the local business and arts community. The couple invested in several restaurants and cultural institutions, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
In his later years, Hackman stepped away from acting to focus on writing, co-authoring several novels with Santa Fean Daniel Lenihan before publishing two books of his own.
Arakawa, a classically trained pianist and businesswoman, was deeply involved in the local arts scene. The couple, married since 1991, were known for their low-profile but active contributions to the community.
Investigation Ongoing, Tributes Pour In
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the cause of death. Autopsies are pending, and authorities caution that final conclusions may take time.
Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, released a statement Thursday expressing their heartbreak:
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa."
Hollywood figures, political leaders, and longtime fans have taken to social media to express their condolences. The New Mexico state Senate issued a statement honoring Hackman’s contributions to film and his adopted home state.
Camera crews and news reporters have gathered outside the couple’s secluded property in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Their estate, a four-bedroom house with a casita on approximately 50 acres, remained under investigation late into Wednesday night.
