Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, have been found dead in their home in New Mexico, prompting an investigation by local authorities. The bodies were discovered on Wednesday, along with that of their pet dog, leading police to label the incident as “suspicious.”
Initially, reports indicated no apparent signs of foul play. However, a search warrant revealed that a detective deemed the circumstances surrounding the deaths “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.” The police were alerted by maintenance workers who found the entrance door to the couple’s residence unlocked, with scattered pills nearby, particularly around Arakawa’s body found in the bathroom, which was in a state of decomposition.
Gene Hackman’s body was located in another room, fully clothed, with sunglasses placed next to him, suggesting a sudden fall. A concerning aspect of the scene included the death of a German Shepherd found in the bathroom, alongside two other healthy dogs that were present in the house. Elizabeth Jean, Hackman’s daughter, posited that carbon monoxide poisoning might be a potential factor in the tragic demise of her parents, a thought echoed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff, Adan Mendoza.
Notably, initial inspections conducted by the local fire department did not indicate any significant levels of carbon monoxide gas present in the home, although the investigation remains ongoing with no definitive conclusions drawn as yet. Sheriff Mendoza stated, “This is an investigation, so we’re keeping everything on the table,” while acknowledging that there were no signs of a struggle at the scene.
Preliminary autopsy reports indicated “no external trauma to either individual.” Toxicology tests, including those for carbon monoxide, have been ordered, but results are pending, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the couple’s untimely deaths.
Gene Hackman, a titan of cinema, is most famously remembered for his riveting performances, including his portrayal of the iconic cop Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in the 1971 film The French Connection, for which he won his first Academy Award. Two decades later, he received another Oscar for his role as the violent sheriff in the classic western Unforgiven. Both films showcased Hackman’s ability to portray complex, multifaceted characters drawn from his own troubled upbringing.
Following the news of his death, notable figures in Hollywood expressed their sorrow and paid homage to Hackman’s immense talent. Director Francis Ford Coppola reflected on Hackman’s legacy, describing him as “a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” while Clint Eastwood, who starred alongside Hackman in Unforgiven, praised him as a “finer actor” and a “dear friend” whom he would miss dearly.