Gene Hackman & wife, Betsy Arakawa found dead: cause of death yet to be determined amid speculation of possible foul play as no carbon dioxide poisoning or leaking detected at couple’s New Mexico residence.
Famed ‘retired’ Hollywood actor, Gene Hackman, 95 and his wife of 30 plus years, Betsy Arakawa, 64, were reported founded deceased at their multimillion New Mexico residence earlier this week by maintenance workers in what now appears to be under mysterious circumstances. It is estimated the couple and one of their pet dogs (also found dead) had been deceased about 2 weeks.
Immediate reckoning attributed the married couple’s deaths the result of carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, but a police affidavit obtained by TMZ, cited the local fire department saying that they ‘did not find any signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning when they completed a search.’
The local gas company also conducted tests on the gas lines surrounding the property, further concluding there were ‘no signs’ pertaining to an issue with the pipes.
Makes me very sad. Gene Hackman and his wife found dead. One of my favorite actors.
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) February 27, 2025
Cause of death carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can be fatal if inhaled. Common side effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
Large exposures can result in loss of consciousness, arrhythmias, seizures, or death.
Authorities said the deaths were ‘suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation’ after finding the door to the couple’s home was ‘unsecured and opened’ and an open orange prescription pill bottle and pills scattered around the room where Hackman’s wife, a classical trained pianist, and one of their German shepherd dogs were discovered.
Deputies noted that it appeared Arakawa had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet” when she was found on the floor of a bathroom near the home’s entry, according to the report.
The door into the couple’s $3.3 million Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, which sits on six acres and is over 8,000 square feet, was left ajar — but there was no sign of forced entry or theft, according to the report.
Authorities also noted in the report that a black space heater was found near Arakawa’s head. A responding officer said ‘he suspected the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground,’ according to a police affidavit.
The couple’s deceased dog was located about 10 to 15 feet away from Arakawa inside the bathroom’s closet, deputies wrote in the report.
Hollywood actor & wife’s cause of death foul play?
Meanwhile, Hackman’s body was located in what deputies believe was the mudroom near a pair of sunglasses. Officers wrote in the report that it appeared he had ‘suddenly fallen.’
Hackman’s body had ‘obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent,’ police wrote in the report.
Deputies also noted two other ‘healthy’ dogs located on the property, one inside the residence and one outside, according to the report.
The cause of death for Hackman and Arakawa will be determined by a medical examiner, officials said. To date authorities have not stated the couple’s death the result of foul play.
Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991 and are survived by his three children.
Hackman was a prolific actor, winning an Academy Award in 1971 for his role in The French Connection along with two Oscars for best actor.
‘[I want to be remembered] as a decent actor. As someone who tried to portray what was given to them in an honest fashion. I don’t know, beyond that,’ Hackman, then 81, told GQ in a 2011 profile. ‘I don’t think about that often, to be honest. I’m at an age where I should think about it.’
Hackman ultimately retired from Hollywood in 2004
The New Mexico Gas Co. is working with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.
