Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their home in Santa Fe on Wednesday. The couple, along with their pet dog, were discovered by deputies responding to a call at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park. Formal identification of the bodies occurred at 12:30 a.m. Thursday (2:30 a.m. ET).
An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
"An active and ongoing investigation" into their deaths, the sheriff's office said.
Gene Hackman, an illustrious figure in the film industry, was 95 years old at the time of his passing. He won two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). Hackman is widely celebrated for his role as detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in William Friedkin's "The French Connection," which earned him his first Oscar. He also portrayed the villainous Lex Luthor in "Superman."
Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after his final film appearance in "Welcome to Mooseport." Despite stepping away from Hollywood, he remained a prominent figure due to his extensive and influential body of work.
Betsy Arakawa, aged 64, was Hackman's partner for many years. The couple's relationship was marked by mutual support and companionship.
The couple's tragic deaths come after Hackman's earlier brush with danger in 2012 when he was hit by a car while riding a bike in the Florida Keys. Fortunately, he escaped with minor injuries after being airlifted to a hospital.
"where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64 and a dog were found deceased,"
Authorities have stated that foul play is not suspected at this time.
"Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined,"