The recent deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been deemed “suspicious,” according to a search warrant affidavit released on Thursday (February 27).

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, 2025.

The couple's dog was also found deceased at the scene. Hackman was 95 years old, and Arakawa was 63.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office has stated that there are no immediate signs of foul play, but an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of their deaths.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the discovery, noting, "We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail."

He added, "This is an active investigation, but at this time, we do not believe there was any crime."

Their deaths are “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” the affidavit, released by New Mexico authorities, said via Variety.

The affidavit reads: “Affiant believes that the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak."

Gene Hackman's career spanned over six decades, during which he delivered memorable performances in films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

He earned two Academy Awards: Best Actor for his role as Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection and Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven.

Hackman retired from acting in 2004, choosing to lead a quieter life focused on writing and painting.

Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist, married Hackman in 1991. The couple shared a passion for the arts and resided in their Santa Fe home for many years.

The news of their passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans worldwide.

Tributes have poured in, celebrating Hackman's remarkable contributions to cinema and the couple's enduring partnership. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of two beloved figures.

Featured image credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty

Authorities are seeking a search warrant after Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were discovered dead in their home.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty

As previously reported, the Oscar-winning actor and his wife were found unconscious in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. The body of their pet dog was also discovered at the scene, according to Sky News.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza released a statement confirming the deaths and addressing ongoing investigations.

“We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. This is an active investigation; however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor,” they said.

Mendoza first confirmed the tragic news to local media shortly after midnight on Wednesday, February 26.

Per BBC News, the exact cause of death remains undetermined. Officials have revealed they are awaiting approval of a search warrant for the residence.

"All I can say is that we're in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant," Mendoza told reporters.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's cause of death has not been disclosed. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty

Hackman was 95 years old at the time of his death, while his wife, who was a classical pianist, was 63.

According to The Guardian, deputies initially discovered the bodies of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s but were waiting for official identification pending further investigation.

Sheriff Mendoza also reassured the public: "I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone."

Gene Hackman and his wife got married in 1991. Credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty

Hackman and Arakawa tied the knot in 1991 and spent the following decades leading a quiet, private life in their Santa Fe home, far from the Hollywood spotlight.

Despite stepping away from acting in the early 2000s, the late actor remained one of the most revered figures in cinema, with a career spanning over 40 years.

The legendary actor won two Academy Awards - one for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971) and another for Best Supporting Actor in Unforgiven (1992). He also earned Oscar nominations for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

Following the news of his passing, several Hollywood stars and filmmakers have taken to social media to honor the former Marine's legacy.

Director Francis Ford Coppola was among the first to pay tribute, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of them on the set of The Conversation (1974) on Instagram.

"The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” Coppola wrote. "I mourn his loss and celebrate his existence and contribution."

Filmmaker Edgar Wright called Hackman “the greatest” on X (formerly Twitter), while George Takei hailed him as “one of the true giants of the screen".

Takei continued: “Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.”

Our thoughts are with Hackman and Arakawa's loved ones.

Featured image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, authorities have confirmed.

The body of their pet dog was also discovered at the property, per Sky News.

A statement from Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza read: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. This is an active investigation; however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”

Mendoza confirmed the news to local media just after midnight on Wednesday (February 26).

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office stated that foul play is not currently suspected, though the exact cause of death remains undetermined, per BBC News.

"All I can say is that we're in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant," Mendoza said.

Hackman was 95 years old at the time of his death, and wife Betsy was 63.

Deputies discovered the bodies of a man in his 90s and a woman in her 60s, but positive identification was initially pending as law enforcement waited on a search warrant, The Guardian reports.

“We’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation,” Sheriff Mendoza said, assuring the public, “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”

A Legendary Career Spanning Decades

Hackman, 95, was one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, known for his commanding presence and versatility across a range of genres.

Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he won two Academy Awards — one for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971) and another for Best Supporting Actor in Unforgiven (1992). He also received Oscar nominations for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988).

The former Marine, who had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s, was also known for playing Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and its sequels, as well as starring in The Conversation (1974), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), and Crimson Tide (1995).

His final film role was in the 2004 comedy Welcome to Mooseport, after which he retired from acting.

In addition to his film career, Hackman became an author, co-writing several historical fiction novels before releasing two solo efforts. His last book, Pursuit, was a crime thriller published in 2013.

When reflecting on his life in a 2011 interview, Hackman simply stated: “He tried. I think that’d be fairly accurate.”

A Private Life in Santa Fe

Hackman married Arakawa in 1991, and the couple lived a quiet life outside of the public eye in their Santa Fe home.

Arakawa, 63, was a classical pianist, and the two were known for their low-profile lifestyle, despite Hackman’s fame.

Regarding his legendary acting career versus the pressures of fame, Hackman once stated: "I was trained to be an actor, not a star. I was trained to play roles, not to deal with fame and agents and lawyers and the press.

"It really costs me a lot emotionally to watch myself on-screen. I think of myself, and feel like I'm quite young, and then I look at this old man with the baggy chins and the tired eyes and the receding hairline and all that."

Hackman, who was previously married to Faye Maltese, is survived by three children from his first marriage.

The circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths remain under investigation.

Our thoughts go out to their family, loved ones, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Credit: Evan Agostini / Getty

Authorities have shared yet more heartbreaking details surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.

The legendary actor, 95, and his 65-year-old wife were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday (February 26).

Read more: Frantic 9-1-1 Call From Person Who Discovered Gene Hackman And Wife Betsy

As previously reported, police say that their bodies were discovered in separate rooms, alongside one of their three German Shepherds, which was also deceased. Two other "healthy" dogs were found alive at the premises.

Authorities have not confirmed when the couple was last seen, though two maintenance workers said they hadn’t heard from them in about two weeks.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated: "There was no external trauma to either of them," and initial findings suggested they had been deceased for "several days, possibly even up to a couple of weeks", per Sky News.

Details of the Scene

Arakawa’s body was discovered in a bathroom, lying on her side near a space heater, and an open orange pill bottle with scattered pills lay nearby.

The affidavit noted she had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.”

Hackman’s body was located in what deputies believe was the mudroom, near a pair of sunglasses. Like his wife, he showed “obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent.”

Authorities had previously stated that it appeared Hackman had “suddenly fallen", but a recent update from Sheriff Mendoza revealed that it is unlikely to have been the cause of his death. "There was no trauma indicated, I'm assuming if they had fallen or injured themselves that would have been discovered by the pathologists," he said.

One of the couple’s dogs was also discovered dead about 10 to 15 feet from her body, inside a crate.

Two other dogs survived, likely because they had access to a doggy door, police say. There were no signs of forced entry, and nothing appeared to have been stolen.

Gene Hackman’s Pacemaker Data

One of the most significant pieces of evidence in the investigation is Hackman’s pacemaker.

Data retrieved from the device indicates that its last recorded "event" occurred on February 17, 2025.

Sheriff Mendoza explained: "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption — that was his last day of life."

Authorities have not yet determined whether Arakawa passed away on the same day or at a later time."That's one of our challenges because of their privacy," Mendoza added.

Carbon Monoxide Tests Negative

Early concerns that carbon monoxide poisoning may have been responsible for their deaths were ruled out after thorough testing. The Santa Fe City Fire Department conducted tests and found no traces of the gas in the home.

New Mexico Gas Company also checked the residence and reported, per ABC News: "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."

Sheriff Mendoza added, "She [the pathologist] shared that information with me because she thought it was relevant to the case and important for the public to know."

Officials are now awaiting the full results from the autopsy and toxicology tests, which Mendoza says could take "months or longer".

Items and Medication Seized

As part of the investigation, police seized several items from the home, according to The New York Post.

These items include:

• Two green cellphones
• A 2025 monthly planner
• Medical records from MyQuest, a patient portal from Quest Diagnostics
• Three types of medication: Tylenol, thyroid medication, and Diltiazem (a blood pressure medication)

It is unclear who the medications belonged to and whether they were linked to the scattered pills found near Arakawa’s body.

Authorities will "sift through cell phones" and analyze phone data, call logs, and medical records as they continue their probe.

“These are things I think are important for the pathologist and OMI (Office of the Medical Investigator) to consider to try to make a determination of what the cause and manner of death are,” Mendoza said.

A Legendary Career and Enduring Marriage

Gene Hackman had a decades-spanning career in Hollywood, appearing in over 80 films. He won two Academy Awards—one for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971) and another for Best Supporting Actor in Unforgiven (1992).

His notable roles included Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Superman (1978), The Conversation (1974), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), and Crimson Tide (1995).

Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after his doctor warned him about the strain on his heart. He later focused on writing, publishing several historical fiction novels and crime thrillers.

Arakawa, a classical pianist, married Hackman in 1991, and the two lived a private life in Santa Fe. Friends and family described her as devoted and deeply involved in maintaining Hackman’s health, keeping him on a strict diet and exercise regimen that included yoga and Pilates.

The couple had been married for 34 years.

A Lasting Legacy

Prince William shared his condolences, calling Hackman "a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity, and star quality."

Santa Fe Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia reflected on Hackman’s impact: "Gene was not only a legendary actor whose talent shaped generations of storytelling, but he and Betsy were also longtime residents of our community, deeply woven into the fabric of Santa Fe. His work inspired countless artists, actors, and filmmakers, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come."

Fellow Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood has also paid his respects, saying in a statement: "There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much"

While the investigation continues, Hackman’s legacy in Hollywood and beyond remains undeniable.

Featured image credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty

Authorities have shared further information regarding he deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

Warning: This article contains information some people will find upsetting.

On Wednesday evening, police revealed that the legendary actor and the classical pianist were found dead in their multi-million dollar Santa Fe, New Mexico home, along with one of their German Shepherd dogs.

Their deaths, though not immediately ruled as foul play, have been deemed “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” according to an affidavit released by authorities.

Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 63, were discovered on February 26, 2025, by maintenance workers who hadn’t seen the couple in about two weeks, the New York Post reports.

When deputies arrived at the couple’s $3.3 million residence —an 8,000-square-foot home situated on six acres — they found the front door “unsecured and opened,” with no apparent signs of forced entry or theft.

Disturbing Scene Inside the Home

Authorities found Arakawa’s body in a bathroom near the home’s entrance. The affidavit noted she had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.”

A black space heater was found near her head, and an open orange pill bottle with scattered pills lay nearby.

The couple’s deceased dog was discovered roughly 10 to 15 feet away inside the bathroom’s closet.

Hackman’s body was located in what deputies believe was the mudroom, near a pair of sunglasses. Like his wife, he showed “obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent.” Authorities wrote that it appeared he had “suddenly fallen".

Two other dogs, both “healthy,” were found on the property — one inside the residence and another outside.

No Clear Cause of Death Yet

Despite the unsettling conditions, there were no immediate indications of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, as confirmed by fire department officials.

The New Mexico Gas Co. is assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department in the ongoing investigation.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza acknowledged the mystery surrounding the deaths, stating: “This is an active investigation, but at this time, we do not believe there was any crime.”

Hollywood Mourns a Legend

Hackman’s passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood.

The two-time Academy Award-winning actor starred in iconic films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

He retired from acting in 2004, shifting his focus to writing and painting, and had largely withdrawn from the public eye.

Arakawa, a classical pianist, married Hackman in 1991, and the couple spent decades enjoying a quiet life in Santa Fe. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans worldwide.

As investigators work to determine what led to the couple’s tragic end, tributes continue to pour in, celebrating Hackman’s legendary career and the life he shared with Arakawa.

Featured image credit: Steve Granitz / Getty