02/27/2025
Oscar-Winner Gene Hackman, Wife, and Dog Found Dead in Santa Fe Home
Authorities have confirmed that legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs were discovered dead in different rooms of their Santa Fe residence. Investigators believe they had been deceased for some time before being found.
Hackman, 95, was located in a mudroom, while his 63-year-old wife was found in a bathroom near a space heater, according to a search warrant obtained by Santa Fe County Sheriffâs Office detectives. Nearby, an open prescription bottle and scattered pills were observed on a countertop.
Sheriffâs office spokesperson Denise Avila stated that there were no visible gunshot wounds or other obvious injuries. Meanwhile, the New Mexico Gas Company is assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriffâs Department in the investigation. According to company spokesperson Tim Korte, technicians tested the gas lines in and around the home but initially found no indications of a leak.
While a detective noted that exposure to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not always present clear symptoms, no immediate evidence of poisoning was detected. A maintenance worker, who had arrived for a routine check, reported that the homeâs front door was ajar. Upon entering and discovering the bodies, he alerted authorities. Two other workers mentioned that they had rarely seen the couple and had last spoken to them roughly two weeks prior.
Authorities also found a deceased German shepherd inside a bathroom closet near Arakawa. However, two other dogs on the property were alive and appeared to be in good health.
Hollywood Mourns a Legendary Actor
Gene Hackman, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, was celebrated for his ability to portray a vast range of characters, from heroes to villains. His career spanned several decades, earning him recognition as one of Hollywoodâs finest.
He was best known for roles such as Lex Luthor in Superman and a redemption-seeking basketball coach in Hoosiers. Hackman earned five Academy Award nominations, winning Best Actor for The French Connection in 1972 and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven in 1993. His passing comes just days before this yearâs Oscars ceremony.
Tributes from Hollywood figures quickly followed the news. Director Francis Ford Coppola shared on Instagram, "The loss of a great artist is always a moment for both mourning and celebration. Gene Hackman was a brilliant actorâcomplex, inspiring, and magnificent in his craft."
A Life in Santa Fe
Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist from Hawaii, while she was working at a California gym in the mid-1980s. The couple soon moved in together and eventually relocated to Santa Fe, where they built a life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Their primary residence, a Southwestern-style home in a gated community, spanned 8,700 square feet and offered breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. According to county property records, the estateâbuilt in 1997âwas valued at over $4 million. The couple also owned a smaller, neighboring 2,000-square-foot home, constructed in 2000.
Though largely withdrawn from public life, Hackman remained active in local cultural circles, serving on the board of the Georgia OâKeeffe Museum in the 1990s. For years, he was a familiar presence in Santa Fe, though sightings became increasingly rare in later years. Even his everyday activities, such as attending a show in 2018 or grabbing a chicken sandwich in 2023, drew media attention.
Beyond acting, Hackman explored writing, co-authoring the adventure novel Wake of the Perdido Star with Daniel Lenihan in 1999. He later wrote two solo novels, including Pursuit (2013), which followed a female police officer hunting a predator.
A Private Life Away from Hollywood
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Hackman stayed true to his decision to retire from acting, stepping away from the industry in the early 2000s and never returning. He also kept a low profile in Hollywoodâs social scene, making only occasional appearances at awards ceremonies.
Hackman had three children from a previous marriage, while he and Arakawa did not have children together. However, they were known for their love of German shepherds.
In a rare 2020 interview with Empire magazine, Hackman spoke about his and Arakawaâs quiet lifestyle, sharing that they enjoyed watching DVDs together. "We like simple stories, the kind that some low-budget films manage to tell," he said.
His passing marks the end of an era for Hollywood, as the film world remembers the legacy of a truly remarkable actor.
