Authorities have raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the death of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, after signs of decomposition were found in their bodies, prompting suspicions of foul play.
Hackman, who passed away on February 26, was discovered in his Santa Fe home alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog. The discovery has led authorities to treat the case as “suspicious.”
The two-time Academy Award winner, known for his iconic roles in “The French Connection”, “Unforgiven”, and “The Royal Tenenbaums”, was found in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home, where he had lived for years.
The sudden passing of Gene Hackman, famed for his role in *The French Connection*, has left fans and experts speculating whether there’s more to the story than initially believed.
‘Door Ajar’
Around 1:45 p.m., neighborhood security noticed the door to the couple’s Santa Fe home was “ajar.” Upon entering, they discovered the bodies of Hackman, 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in the large Southwestern-style ranch within a gated community.
At first, authorities stated that “foul play is not suspected” in the deaths. However, during a press conference, Sheriff Adan Mendoza clarified there was no “immediate sign of foul play” and that the “exact cause of death” remains undetermined. This has prompted a more in-depth investigation, with the sheriff’s office applying for a search warrant, deeming the deaths “suspicious enough” to require a thorough inquiry.
What Was Found
The search warrant application has unveiled some unsettling details surrounding the discovery of Gene Hackman and his wife’s bodies, deepening the mystery of their sudden passing.
Hackman, the iconic “Unforgiven” star, was found on the floor in what is believed to be a mudroom, with his cane and sunglasses lying nearby. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was discovered in the bathroom, where an open prescription bottle had spilled its contents across the counter.
The affidavit suggests that both Hackman and Arakawa seemed to have collapsed suddenly. Adding to the intrigue, Sheriff Mendoza revealed that the couple “had been deceased for quite a while.” When a reporter inquired if their deaths could have occurred weeks ago, Mendoza refrained from confirming a timeline, stating that the exact duration remains unclear as authorities continue to investigate.
Decomposed Bodies Found
Both Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, showed significant signs of decomposition. Arakawa, in particular, displayed “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face, and mummification in both her hands and feet.”
Their German Shepherd dog was discovered lying in a closet in the bathroom, about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa. Two other dogs were found alive and healthy—one was observed near Arakawa in the bathroom, while the other was outside the home.
Despite the unsettling scene, authorities found no signs of blunt force trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa, nor any visible evidence of forced entry, ruling out a break-in.
The affidavit explains that the circumstances surrounding their deaths are “suspicious enough” to warrant further investigation. The front door was found “unsecured and opened,” with no signs of a gas leak detected.
As authorities continue their inquiry, they await the autopsy results, which could shed light on what truly happened in the final moments of Hackman and Arakawa’s lives.