Police admit to major crime scene mistake after Gene Hackman died alongside wife at home

Following the passing of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, police have admitted they made a major crime scene mistake.

Gene Hackman was found dead aged 95. Credit: Robert Mora/Getty Images

The couple was found deceased at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home last week, alongside their pet dog, in what police initially believed to be a non-suspicious incident.

However, as new details emerge, investigators have admitted to a significant error in their reports, adding to the mystery surrounding the case.

As the investigation unfolds, close friends of Hackman and Arakawa have shed light on the Hollywood icon’s declining health in his final months.

Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, longtime friends of the couple, along with their son Aaron, shared heartbreaking details about Hackman’s increasing frailty, per PEOPLE.

Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in different rooms. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Daniel described the French Connection star as “essentially kind of homebound” in recent times, while Barbara revealed that Hackman stopped riding his bike through the neighborhood about a year ago. She noted his health had been “really slipping” in the last couple of months.

Aaron added: “Betsy tried to keep him kind of active and engaged,” explaining that Hackman did puzzles and yoga via Zoom every day as part of his routine.

“She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible,” he said.

Despite these accounts, Hackman’s daughter Leslie Anne told TMZ a very different story, claiming her father had been “in very good physical condition” before his passing.

“He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health,” she explained.

Aaron, however, emphasized that Hackman and Arakawa had been inseparable throughout their marriage, describing them as "one of the tightest couples I’ve seen."

He added: "They seemed like real-life partners, really, really close to each other, and they were both incredibly kind. And they were reserved, but they were real, [and] a lot of fun."

Gene Hackman was a Hollywood legend. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty

While authorities initially ruled out foul play, the investigation took a turn when officials admitted to a mix-up regarding the couple’s dogs, per USA Today.

At first, police reported that the deceased dog found at the scene was a German Shepherd, leading many close to the couple to believe it was their dog Bear.

However, an animal chiropractor who worked with the family disputed this claim, revealing that Bear is actually alive.

A correction later confirmed that the deceased dog was actually Zinna, a 12-year-old reddish Australian Kelpie mix. Hackman and Arakawa’s two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, have since been taken to a local animal shelter.

Regarding the misidentification, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Denise Womack-Avila responded, saying: “Our deputies do not deal with canines on a daily basis, and I cannot currently speak to the condition or state of the dog’s body upon discovery.”

The couple were discovered in their Santa Fe home. Credit: Steve Granitz / Getty

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of death, as preliminary autopsy reports showed no external trauma.

While initial theories suggested carbon monoxide poisoning, toxicology tests found no evidence of a gas leak.

Adding to the mystery, police revealed that Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate rooms, suggesting they may not have died at the same time.

Hackman was discovered in the mudroom, with his sunglasses and walking cane nearby.

Arakawa was found in the bathroom, where officers noted the presence of various pills - a detail that was deemed “suspicious enough” to warrant further investigation.

According to Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza, the couple was discovered by maintenance workers, and their bodies had been there for several days before being found.

Investigators described them as being in a partially mummified state, indicating they had passed away some time before discovery.

Featured image credit: Kevin Winter/Getty