New Mexico authorities in Santa Fe have found the bodies of Gene Hackman, 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, age 65, in their home. The two were discovered with one of their dead German Shepherds, and authorities are raising suspicion about the events that led them to their deaths.
The bodies were discovered after a maintenance worker who could not get to the couple contacted the authorities. Sheriff’s deputies said Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom and Arakawa in a bathroom, both well advanced in decomposition. Prescription drugs were found beside Arakawa, but there were no indications of forced entry or criminal activity.
Initial examinations have eliminated carbon monoxide poisoning as the manner of death. Information from Hackman’s pacemaker suggests he probably died on February 17, which means the couple would have been dead for about nine days when discovered. Autopsies showed no signs of external trauma, and toxicology results are pending to ascertain the actual causes of death.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the events leading to the deaths. The remaining dogs of the couple have been taken into custody, and the authorities have offered condolences to the family. Updates will continue to be issued as more details are made known.
