Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered dead in their residence in New Mexico, prompting an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department is leading the inquiry, with the New Mexico Gas Co also participating due to potential concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning. The couple, who had lived in New Mexico since 2004 after Hackman’s retirement from Hollywood, were found in a state of decomposition alongside their three German shepherds.
The grim discovery took place when deputies entered the home and found one of the dogs deceased inside a kennel. No signs of forced entry or struggle were apparent at the scene. Initial observations led deputies to suspect that a space heater in the bathroom might have toppled, causing Arakawa to fall. Hackman's body was found in a separate room, fully clothed, and deputies surmised he may have suffered a sudden fall. Notably, no suicide note was found.
Elizabeth Jean Hackman, the couple's daughter, expressed concerns about carbon monoxide potentially being to blame for her parents' deaths. The search warrant described the scene as "the body was in a state of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet." The same document characterized the situation as "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation."
Sheriff Adan Mendoza commented on the ongoing investigation, stating:
"All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation."
The absence of visible injuries or disturbances in the home has led authorities to consider various possibilities, including accidental causes or environmental factors. The involvement of the New Mexico Gas Co suggests that investigators are taking potential gas leaks or carbon monoxide exposure seriously.
The couple's peaceful life in New Mexico had been marked by Hackman's retirement from a prolific acting career. As the investigation progresses, family members and fans alike await answers to this tragic and mysterious event.