Last Updated on March 1, 2025, 3:43 AM AST by Anthony Morris
American actor Gene Hackman (95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa (65) were discovered dead in their home in New Mexico, United States, on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025. The couple was found along with their deceased German Shepherd dog while two other healthy dogs were found wandering the property.
One of the employees who assisted the couple at times called the emergency services after the couple was inaccessible for more than two weeks. The 911 call that was recorded was taken in which the employee told them that the couple is not moving while urging them to send someone over to check on it.
The police arrived and investigated the crime scene after the 911 call and said that the crime scene was ‘suspicious enough’ to not rule out foul play despite having not found any evidence. No injuries were found on the couple that might suggest struggle during the time of their death.
Furthermore, no signs of forced entry were found and nothing appeared to have been stolen or out of place. No sign of gas leak was found in the area and the fire department detected no signs of carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. No cause of death has been made public yet because of the lack of evidence and ongoing autopsy.
Details surrounding the couple’s death
The Santa Fe County Sheriff, Adan Mendoza said that the couple and their dog were found dead on February 26th, 2025, at around 1:45 pm, after some deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park, after receiving a 911 call.
Hackman was discovered in a side room close to the house’s kitchen, wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a long-sleeve blue T-shirt and brown slippers, with sunglasses and a walking-cane next to him. His wife Arakawa was found in a bathroom with their dog and a prescription bottle with some pills found scattered near Arakawa’s body
The authorities believed that the couple died a few days prior due to the decomposition and mummification in the hands and feet of Arakawa. The detective further said that Hackman was also found in a similar condition.
The sheriff said that the couple died 10 days before their bodies were discovered by the workers on Friday (February 28th, 2025).
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
