New bodycam footage has shed more light on the tragic passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, including how their dog reacted when the emergency services arrived.
The couple, aged 95 and 65 respectively, were discovered dead inside their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, alongside one of their beloved German Shepherds, Zinna.
According to investigators, Arakawa died first from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and severe respiratory disease.
Hackman reportedly passed away on February 17 or 18 from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a significant contributing factor.
Zinna, their dog, is believed to have died from dehydration.
Newly released bodycam video from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office paints a new picture, with the couple's other dog breaking hearts, per the New York Post.
In the footage, officers enter the couple’s sprawling Santa Fe Summit property. Zinna’s body was found near Betsy’s, both lying close to a bathroom.
One of the surviving dogs sat calmly nearby.
An officer is heard saying the dog was “guarding her” and “seems pretty friendly.” Another deputy tried to comfort the distressed pet, noting, “Poor guy,” as faint barks and whimpers echoed through the house.
Gene Hackman’s body was found separately in the mudroom. “Way separate,” a deputy clarified when asked where the 95-year-old actor’s remains were located.
Bear, a German shepherd rescue, and Nikita, an Akita-shepherd mix, were found alive and have since been rehomed.
"In response to numerous concerned inquiries about the Hackmans' dogs, both Bear and Nikita have been placed in appropriate homes," a personal representative for the estates said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "Both are safe, healthy, and adjusting to their new environments."
Gene Hackman, the two-time Oscar winner known for The French Connection and Unforgiven, had lived a quiet life in Santa Fe since retiring from acting in 2004.
He married Arakawa in 1991, and the two were last seen together during a rare outing in March 2024.
Legal documents show that Hackman named Arakawa as his sole beneficiary when he updated his will in 2005, per BBC News.
However, with Arakawa dying before him, legal experts say the money could default to his three children - Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58 - despite them not being named in the will.
"The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws, and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit," said California attorney Tre Lovell.
Hackman had three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, but their relationship was complicated.
Despite being one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, Hackman admitted that his career strained his relationship with his family.
Despite their complex relationship, Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter expressed deep love for him after his passing.
"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."