Police investigate after Gene Hackman and his wife are found dead at home.

 Sheriffs search a home in New Mexico after discovering bodies but find no signs of struggle, foul play, or a gas leak.

Santa Fe police outside the home of Gene Hackman, whose body was found, along with that of his wife, on Wednesday.

Fri 28 Feb 2025 06.00 GMT

Authorities in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are actively investigating the mysterious deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa. The couple was discovered at their home under suspicious circumstances, leaving many questions unanswered.

A maintenance worker found the bodies on Wednesday, along with one of their three dogs, also deceased. The front door was open, but the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office reported no signs of foul play, forced entry, or obvious causes such as a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning. Due to the unusual nature of the scene, authorities obtained a search warrant that evening.

Hackman, 95, was found collapsed in an entryway near a cane, while Arakawa, 65, was discovered in an upstairs bathroom with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered nearby. A deceased German shepherd was located inside a bathroom closet. Despite the unsettling circumstances, Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated, “There was no indication of a struggle or missing items that would suggest a crime had taken place.”

During a press conference, Mendoza indicated that the couple had been deceased for some time but could not specify an exact timeframe. Investigators are now working to determine when they were last seen or heard from.

According to an affidavit, neither Hackman nor Arakawa exhibited signs of blunt force trauma, and their sudden collapse remains unexplained. Two other dogs were found alive, free to move in and out of the house via a pet door. The discovery was made after a pest control worker noticed the open door, failed to reach the couple, and alerted security personnel.

A 911 caller reported, “I think we just found one or two deceased persons inside a house. I can’t go in, but I see someone lying face down through the window.”

Gene Hackman, a former Marine known for his raspy voice and commanding screen presence, starred in over 80 films, television shows, and stage productions. His breakout role in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde earned him an Academy Award nomination, followed by a Best Supporting Actor nod for I Never Sang for My Father in 1971. He won the Best Actor Oscar for his iconic portrayal of Popeye Doyle in The French Connection and later secured a Best Supporting Actor win for Unforgiven in 1993. He also received an Academy Award nomination for Mississippi Burning in 1988.

Since the 1980s, Hackman resided near Santa Fe, a vibrant arts hub recognized as a UNESCO Creative City in 2005. The actor became a well-known community figure, serving on the board of trustees for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum from 1997 to 2004. At the museum’s grand opening, he reflected on his deep connection to the area: “In the 10 years I’ve lived here, I’ve been taken with the excitement and indomitable spirit of this place.”

The couple lived in a gated community outside Santa Fe. In a heartfelt statement, Hackman’s family expressed their sorrow: “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We are devastated by this loss.”

Investigators continue their efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths, seeking answers to a case that has left the community in shock.