Additional Coverage:
Santa Fe, NM — Two of Gene Hackman’s dogs survived the tragic circumstances that claimed the lives of the acclaimed actor, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their third dog last week. The surviving dogs, a German shepherd named Bear and another dog named Nikita, apparently escaped a grim fate thanks to a doggy door.
Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog Zinna were found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 28th. Authorities are awaiting toxicology results to determine the cause of death.
Zinna was found in a kennel inside a bathroom closet, some distance from Arakawa’s body. No necropsy was performed on the dog.
According to Joey Padilla, owner of Santa Fe Tails pet care where the couple frequently boarded their pets, Bear and Nikita are now safe and being cared for. It appears the doggy door allowed them access to food and water outside the home during the estimated nine days between the couple’s deaths and the discovery of their bodies. One of the surviving dogs was found near Arakawa’s remains, while the other was outside the house.
Padilla described Zinna’s close bond with Arakawa, saying, “Zinna went from being a returned shelter dog to this incredible companion under Betsy’s hand.” He added that he will care for the surviving dogs until Arakawa’s wishes for their care are known.
Padilla noted that before the pandemic, he saw the couple often and the dogs were clearly cherished by Arakawa. However, after the pandemic began, contact was limited by Arakawa to protect Hackman’s health.
The circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths remain a mystery, with authorities ruling out carbon monoxide poisoning.