In his later years, Gene Hackman lived a tranquil life in Santa Fe, away from the spotlight. The huge house he painstakingly renovated, encircled by miles of open space, became his retreat. Originally intended as a tranquil retreat, it is currently the subject of an investigation after a disturbing discovery.
The bodies of the Hollywood icon and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their pets were discovered inside their remote home. They had been there for years, preferring seclusion to attention. However, an ongoing investigation is now focused on the house that previously offered comfort. As investigators look for answers, one picture provides a unique look at the location of their last days.
A normal maintenance technician showed up to Hackman’s house on the afternoon of February 26, 2025. He saw that the front door of the house was open as he got closer. A woman lay on the floor, still, and he could see it through a window. Unable to go inside, he dialled 911 right away. Authorities discovered 63-year-old Arakawa in the lavatory and 95-year-old Hackman in the foyer. Near Arakawa’s head was a space heater, and near Hackman’s body was a cane.
Two dogs, one inside the house and one outside, were found alive, but a German shepherd was found dead inside a closet cage. No evidence of theft, struggle, or forced entry was found by investigators. Later, Sheriff Adan Mendoza affirmed, “There was no sign of a struggle.” Nothing was missing or altered from the house that would have suggested a crime had been committed.
While the Fire Department tested for carbon monoxide and ruled out poisoning as an immediate cause, the New Mexico Gas Company inspected the area and found no leaks. Government officials have not ruled out any possibilities in spite of these findings. As investigators try to ascertain what happened inside the Santa Fe home, autopsy and toxicology findings are still pending.
Santa Fe was a sanctuary for Hackman. At the age of 74, he announced his retirement from acting without any fanfare or public statements after a five-decade career. His choice was based on health concerns more than a lack of passion. Doctors advised him to avoid putting too much strain on his heart, and he later disclosed that a stress test in New York had been a turning point in his life. He never resumed his acting career, taking their cautions seriously. As an alternative, he accepted a life outside of Hollywood, working on his house and writing novels during the day.
Hackman created his own concept for his 12-acre Santa Fe property. He bought the house and made major improvements after becoming interested in the area after shooting multiple films there. It was “a 1950s block building that had sat empty and deteriorated,” according to architect Stephen Samuelson, who recalls its state prior to the renovation. Hackman and Arakawa wanted to break away from the conventional adobe styles and create a more open design that had French doors, high ceilings, and lots of natural light.
In order to accomplish this change, they reorganised the inside to create a more spacious arrangement and removed 90% of the roof. Spanish Baroque, colonial New Mexico, and Pueblo styles were all incorporated into the finished design. Hackman was personally in charge of every aspect, including choosing finishes and blending paint colours. He continued to play a significant role in the upkeep and enhancement of the house even after he retired.
Their lives in Santa Fe were shaped by others besides Hackman, who was committed to making his house perfect. Arakawa was actively involved, helping to realise his vision while making sure their private lives stayed that way. At a fitness centre where Arakawa worked part-time in the early 1980s, the two first crossed paths. Although their marriage was coming to an end, Hackman was still wed to Faye Maltese, his first wife, at the time. He and Arakawa started dating in 1984, and she moved into his Santa Fe house prior to his divorce being finalised in 1986. They got married in 1991 and have been together for more than thirty years.
Despite not having children together, Hackman had a close relationship with his three children from his first marriage: Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne. The pair put their privacy first, living their lives together out of the spotlight of Hollywood. In order to keep up their isolated lifestyle and manage their home projects, Arakawa was essential.
Hackman’s literary and cinematic contributions endured despite his exile from the public eye. Because of his talent for bringing complicated characters to life, he was regarded as one of the most prestigious actors of his generation. His breakout performance in “Bonnie and Clyde” in 1967 paved the way for highly regarded parts in films like “Superman” and “Hoosiers.” Two Academy Awards and four Golden Globes were bestowed to him: Best Supporting Actor for “Unforgiven” (1992) and Best Actor for “The French Connection” (1971).
He had his last appearance in Hollywood in the movie “Welcome to Mooseport” in 2004. He appeared in more than 90 films and television shows during the course of his decades-long career. Writing became his second interest after retirement, and he wrote a number of novels, including thrillers and historical fiction.
In his later years, Hackman made very few public appearances, which only increased the mystery around him. March 2024 was the last time he was spotted, and he was spotted with Arakawa. As she helped him, he supported himself with a cane while wearing a grey ve<blockquote button-down shirt. The sight of him after all these years evoked a mix of admiration and surprise among fans.
They were either incredulous—“That doesn’t look like him one bit”—or appreciative—“Thank heavens he’s still alive.” His resilience was praised by others, who pointed out that he was still ambulatory and self-sufficient at the age of 94. His contributions to film and narrative were the subject of some remarks, while others concentrated on the ageing process.
After his untimely death, admirers are now forced to consider his illustrious career as well as the peaceful life he led outside of Hollywood. There is no denying his influence on film and on the lives of people who admired him, even as detectives try to piece together what transpired inside his Santa Fe home.
