During their more than three decades together, two-time Academy Award winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa embraced a tranquil existence away from the spotlight of Hollywood. Numerous questions remain unanswered due to their unexpected deaths, which has prompted an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The renowned actor and his spouse were discovered dead on February 26, 2025, at their Santa Fe residence. Although they had long cherished simplicity and seclusion, their passing has suddenly put them at the focus of an expanding investigation.
Gene Hackman was born Eugene Allen Hackman in San Bernardino, California, on January 30, 1930. He became one of Hollywood’s most renowned performers. After serving in the U.S. Marines, he pursued an acting career that culminated in his breakout performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (1967). He became a household name in cinema history after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The French Connection (1971). The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Young Frankenstein (1974), Superman (1978), Unforgiven (1992), and Crimson Tide (1995) were among the many films that Hackman directed. For decades, he was well-known due to his ability to switch between comedy, action, and drama with ease.
Gene Hackman lived his life with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in addition to his remarkable profession. Betsy was born on December 15, 1959, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She gained notoriety for her participation in Card Sharks and her attendance at prestigious award events such as the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. Up until their recent death, the couple lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, leading a solitary life.
No exterior trauma was found in either person, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary autopsy results. Together with their dead dog, the couple was found in their New Mexico home. Authorities are still awaiting autopsy and toxicology tests, but they have not yet identified the precise cause of their deaths. In order to rule out any environmental influences, testing for toxicity and carbon monoxide were requested.
Investigators have not ruled out foul play completely, although they are not currently suspecting it. A search warrant document states that the facts were considered suspicious enough to justify a thorough search and investigation. No evidence of forced entry, struggle, or theft was found at the scene, according to Sheriff Adan Mendoza. However, it seemed that the couple had been dead for a few days before they were discovered.
Betsy Arakawa was found on the floor of a restroom next to an open prescription medication bottle. They discovered their dog dead in the bathroom closet with a space heater close by. Investigators speculated that Gene Hackman might have passed out unexpectedly after discovering his body in a different room close to the kitchen.
A caregiver made the initial finding on February 26 just before 2:00 p.m. local time by calling 911. The caller, who was clearly upset, said that she was unable to enter the house but could see two unresponsive persons through a window. No early signs of natural gas or carbon monoxide leakage were discovered by investigators, who also discovered the front door open and unlocked.
With the use of the search warrant, law enforcement was able to search for guns, restricted narcotics, flammable materials, and other possible evidence. It is anticipated that the final medical examiner’s reports will be completed in four to six weeks, as authorities meticulously record every discovery before drawing any conclusions.
The pair had likely been dead for a long time before being found, as evidenced by the obvious decomposition indications that investigators saw, such as bloating of the face and mummification of the hands and feet. Further casting doubt on the chronology of events, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya said mummification usually starts more than two weeks after death.
In order to paint a more complete picture of the couple’s last days, forensic pathologist Judy Melinek noted that investigators would need to look at important information, such the last time the pair received mail or spoke with friends or family. Furthermore, Gene Hackman’s “last event” was February 17, according to data taken from his pacemaker, which suggests he may have passed away nine days prior to the discovery of his body.
A 2025 monthly planner, two green cell phones, and three prescription drugs—Tylenol, Diltiazem (a drug used to treat high blood pressure), and a thyroid medication—were among the personal belongings seized by the authorities as part of the inquiry. Medical records were also obtained by investigators from the diagnostic provider MyQuest.
Gene Hackman announced his retirement from acting in an interview in 2008, capping an incredible career that spanned more than 40 years. Although he acknowledged that he missed the craft, he pointed out that the industry’s tension had reached a breaking point. Rather, he turned his attention to writing, and he and his neighbor and friend Daniel Lenihan co-wrote a number of historical adventure books, such as Justice for None (2004) and Wake of the Perdido Star (1999).
In Santa Fe, Hackman maintained an active lifestyle even after retiring. He was frequently spotted cruising the streets on an e-bike well into his 80s. Both he and Betsy had pilot’s licenses and often flew their Pitts Special aircraft.
Hackman’s health apparently deteriorated in his last years. In an interview with their son Aaron, longtime friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan revealed that the actor had become “basically kind of home-bound.” But Betsy Arakawa stayed healthy and found ways to keep her husband interested, setting up daily puzzles and Zoom yoga sessions.
Even though they led a solitary existence, Hackman and Arakawa had strong bonds with one another and their close friends. After getting married in 1991, the pair had led a contented and peaceful life at their Santa Fe home.
After their death, conspiracy rumors started to circulate online. Actor Randy Quaid posted on social media, speculating that the couple had been murdered: “Gene Hackman and his wife are murder victims, some [expletive] did it and staged it.” Forget about the movies he appears in; this is how they get away with killing celebrities! According to Quaid, Hackman’s death was comparable to those of other famous people who passed away inexplicably.
Despite these allegations, authorities have not discovered any proof of foul play. It is anticipated that the final toxicology and autopsy findings will offer more conclusive answers about what killed them.
With the death of Gene Hackman, a chapter in Hollywood history comes to a close. He has a legacy that extends beyond literature and film, as well as an indisputable influence on those who appreciated his work. He was a screen legend and a reclusive individual in his later years. He and Betsy Arakawa led a peaceful life away from the spotlight, one that is now indelibly marked in Hollywood history. Their life was filled with love and friendship.
