Edited by Yiannis Damellos
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office has stated that there were "no obvious signs or indications of foul play" in the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The 95-year-old Oscar winner and his 65-year-old wife were discovered dead in their home, along with their dog, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to the search warrant affidavit, there were no clear signs of how they died. However, the circumstances surrounding their deaths were deemed "suspicious enough" to warrant a thorough investigation.
Initial autopsy findings indicated that there was no external trauma to either individual, according to a press release from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office on Thursday afternoon. The causes and manner of death remain undetermined. Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests have been requested for both, with the official results pending, the sheriff's office said.
The Academy Award-winning actor was found on the floor in the mud room, according to the search warrant. It appeared he fell suddenly, and he and his wife "showed obvious signs of death," the document said.
Arakawa was discovered lying on her side on the bathroom floor, with a space heater positioned near her body, according to the search warrant. The condition of her body indicated signs of decomposition, and there was mummification present on her hands and feet. Additionally, an opened prescription bottle was found on the counter near Arakawa, with pills scattered around it, according to the search warrant.
A German shepherd was discovered dead approximately 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa, according to the document. This dog was found in a crate or kennel, as stated by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. However, two other dogs were found alive and seemingly had access to a doggy door, the sheriff noted. One healthy dog was situated near Arakawa, while the other was located outside, according to the search warrant.
The Santa Fe City Fire Department reported finding no indications of a potential carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. If carbon monoxide was present at the scene, it may have escaped from the home through the open front door before the responders arrived.
New Mexico Gas Company also responded, "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated with the pipes in and around the residence," the document said.
Two maintenance workers said they hadn’t heard from Hackman and Arakawa in about two weeks, the document said.
A maintenance worker who initially responded to the home found the front door open, according to the search warrant affidavit. But there were no signs of forced entry and no signs items were taken or rummaged through, the document said.
There was no indication of a crime and "there could be a multitude of reasons why the door was open," the sheriff told reporters Thursday.
There was "no obvious sign or indication of foul play," but authorities "haven’t ruled that out yet," the sheriff said.
Investigators are "keeping everything on the table," he added.
Mendoza said it "sounds like they had been deceased for a while," but he would not speculate for how long.
Hackman's daughters and granddaughter said in a statement, "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."
Hollywood devastated
Gene Hackman's passing marks the end of an important chapter in the entertainment industry. His memorable performances and exceptional talent have left a lasting impact on cinema. Following his death, prominent figures in Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, and Antonio Banderas, were quick to pay tribute to the "incredibly gifted" actor.
Hackman's career
Gene Hackman was born on January 30, 1930. After being discharged from the US Marine Corps, he decided to pursue acting. He studied at the Pasadena Playhouse before relocating to New York to seek opportunities in theater and television. Early in his career, Hackman faced numerous challenges and worked various odd jobs to support himself while honing his craft.
His breakthrough occurred in 1967 with the film *Bonnie and Clyde*, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This success launched him into a series of iconic roles throughout the 1970s, including his Oscar-winning performance as Detective “Popeye” Doyle in *The French Connection* (1971).
Hackman’s talent for taking on a variety of roles was further demonstrated in films such as Scarecrow (1973), The Conversation (1974), and The Poseidon Adventure (1972), where he delivered raw and compelling performances. His portrayal of the villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) also became iconic, showcasing his ability to add a comedic flair to his diverse range of characters.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Gene Hackman established himself as one of Hollywood’s most dependable leading men. He portrayed a determined basketball coach in the beloved classic Hoosiers (1986) and won his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the sadistic sheriff in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992). Hackman also starred in critically acclaimed films such as Mississippi Burning (1988), The Firm (1993), and Enemy of the State (1998), showcasing his exceptional talent and receiving praise for his performances.
Gene Hackman’s final role was in the film *Welcome to Mooseport* (2004), after which he retired from acting. Throughout his career, Hackman received numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe's Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003, honoring his extraordinary contributions to film.
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