Additional Coverage:
- Police confirm Gene Hackman’s two surviving dogs are alive and ‘safe’ after actor’s death (irishstar.com)
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. Authorities have confirmed the couple, ages 95 and 64 respectively, were found along with one of their three dogs. Two surviving dogs are currently under the care of Santa Fe County Animal Control, who are working with the Hackman family.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear. Ms.
Arakawa was found in the bathroom with an open container of prescription medication nearby. The nature of the medication and to whom it was prescribed is currently undetermined.
Mr. Hackman was found in a mudroom adjacent to the kitchen.
A third dog was found deceased near Ms. Arakawa.
While autopsies have ruled out external trauma, the cause of death for both Mr. Hackman and Ms.
Arakawa is still pending. Although the scene presented unusual characteristics, local authorities have ruled out foul play and a gas leak.
Sheriff Aron Mendoza stated the situation was “not typical,” declining to speculate further.
The couple, married since 1991, were known animal lovers. They adopted one of their dogs from an animal shelter after it wandered onto the set of Mr.
Hackman’s film, The Replacements, in 1999. The shelter, Animal Rescue Inc, had recently celebrated Mr.
Hackman’s 94th birthday on social media, commemorating his adoption of the dog.