In a shocking turn of events, Gene Hackman, the acclaimed two-time Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, may have been dead in their Santa Fe home for several days, potentially even weeks, before their bodies were discovered on Wednesday. This unsettling timeline was revealed by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, who noted that piecing together the circumstances surrounding their deaths has proven to be a complex task.
Following the announcement of the couple's death, the Santa Fe medical examiner conducted initial autopsies, which revealed no signs of external trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa. They were found deceased in their home, located within a gated community in New Mexico, alongside one of their three beloved dogs. Sheriff Mendoza appeared on NBC’s Today show, emphasizing the challenges of establishing a definitive timeline due to the couple's private nature. He stated, “We’re trying to put things together, put together a timeline when the deceased were last seen and last spoken to…”
On Friday, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office released a list of items that were confiscated from the couple’s residence during the execution of a search warrant. The items included two green cellular devices, various medications including thyroid medication and diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker), Tylenol, medical records, and a monthly planner for 2025. Notably, the autopsy report indicated that both bodies exhibited signs of decomposition, including “mummification in both hands and feet.”
According to police reports, Hackman, 95, appeared to have “suddenly fallen” in the mud room adjacent to the kitchen, while Arakawa was found in a room near the ground floor bathroom with prescription pills scattered across the countertop. Although Sheriff Mendoza did not disclose the specific medications found at the scene or their potential connection to Arakawa’s death, he stated that foul play is not currently suspected. However, he also mentioned that all avenues remain open in the ongoing investigation.
Initial autopsy results performed later on Thursday confirmed “no external trauma” to either individual. Authorities have requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests for both Hackman and Arakawa. A gas company representative confirmed that there were “no signs or evidence indicating any problems associated with the pipes in and around the residence,” yet this does not eliminate the possibility of a gas leak occurring prior to their deaths. The gas company is actively cooperating with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department as the investigation unfolds.
The couple's preference for privacy has further complicated efforts to establish their daily routines and pinpoint the timeline of their deaths. The last known photograph of them together was taken on March 28 at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. Their final Hollywood event as a couple was at the 2003 Golden Globes, where Hackman received the Cecil B. DeMille Award. As the investigation continues, the couple’s bodies will undergo a comprehensive autopsy, with more information expected from the Medical Examiner’s toxicology report, which may take up to three months to complete.
Gene Hackman is celebrated for his portrayals of tough characters in iconic films such as The French Connection, Bonnie and Clyde, I Never Sang for My Father, The Conversation, Hoosiers, and Unforgiven. After retiring from acting in his 70s, Hackman had not appeared on screen since the 2004 satirical comedy Welcome to Mooseport. Following his retirement, he embraced a quieter life in Santa Fe, rarely participating in interviews.
Hackman divorced his first wife, Faye Maltese, in 1986, and later met Betsy Arakawa, a classically trained pianist, while she worked part-time at a California fitness center. The couple moved to Santa Fe in the late 1980s and married in 1991. Arakawa became the stepmother to Hackman’s three children: Elizabeth, Christopher, and Leslie. Known for her privacy, Arakawa had no presence on social media. Hackman, who began writing novels in the 2000s, often credited her for helping him refine his writing skills.
