Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead at home

February 28, 2025 - 1:39 PM IST

Hollywood actor Gene Hackman was found dead at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog. The cause of death remains unknown, and an investigation is currently underway. No credible reports have confirmed the reason behind their passing. Amid the ongoing probe, authorities have released the 911 audio along with their first official statement.

Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead at home

In a distressing 911 call, a worker is heard urgently pleading with the dispatcher to send first responders to the couple’s Santa Fe home. “I found two or one deceased person[s] inside a house. Please send somebody really quick,” the unidentified caller says. He adds, “[It’s] a female and a male probably. I don’t know, sir. Just send somebody up here really quick.”

The caller further stated that he was not present with them at the time and was unsure whether they were “awake” or “breathing.”

Police investigating the mysterious deaths of Hackman and his wife, Arakawa, stated that there were no apparent signs of foul play. According to a statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, “In the early hours of Thursday, February 27, 2025, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator. An autopsy was performed, and initial findings showed no external trauma to either individual. Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both.”

Police added, “The manner and cause of death have not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.”

Autopsy reports typically take around four to six weeks.

A search warrant revealed that New Mexico Gas Company inspected the gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered. While no issues were found, a detective noted that individuals exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning may not always exhibit visible symptoms.

The warrant also stated that the circumstances of their deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.” This was partly due to the distressed worker who called emergency services discovering the front door of the property open.

The affidavit stated that the front door of the couple’s home was found open and unsecured, though there were no immediate signs of forced entry. Arakawa’s body was discovered in a bathroom with an open pill bottle and scattered medication nearby. Police also noted a space heater near her head, leading a deputy to suggest in the search warrant that it may have toppled if she had collapsed suddenly.

According to warrant details obtained by Variety, Arakawa’s body showed clear signs of decomposition, including facial bloating and mummification of her hands and feet.

Hackman was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy, and their dog at their New Mexico home on Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. As reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, police did not immediately suspect foul play, though the investigation remains ongoing.