Suspicious death of Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog in New Mexico - February 2025

Well there's a bit more out there now about this. A search warrant. Gas company is involved but that only means imo standard stuff, of course they'd have them come check that with something like this. That all is from news. Link below.

I've also seen allegedly they were dead for two weeks before found, pills were strewn about. I don't know this as fact and even if it is the pills don't mean anyone was doing drugs. It could have been dropping a medicine pill bottle just as one suffers a heart attack or some such. Again, not able to verify these things.

 
GrandmaBear said:
Well there's a bit more out there now about this. A search warrant. Gas company is involved but that only means imo standard stuff, of course they'd have them come check that with something like this. That all is from news. Link below.

I've also seen allegedly they were dead for two weeks before found, pills were strewn about. I don't know this as fact and even if it is the pills don't mean anyone was doing drugs. It could have been dropping a medicine pill bottle just as one suffers a heart attack or some such. Again, not able to verify these things.

Click to expand...

i read all the same too. saying no foul play but investigating thoroughly.... sad that it's been weeks
 
GrandmaBear said:
Well there's a bit more out there now about this. A search warrant. Gas company is involved but that only means imo standard stuff, of course they'd have them come check that with something like this. That all is from news. Link below.

I've also seen allegedly they were dead for two weeks before found, pills were strewn about. I don't know this as fact and even if it is the pills don't mean anyone was doing drugs. It could have been dropping a medicine pill bottle just as one suffers a heart attack or some such. Again, not able to verify these things.

Click to expand...

Yes this article has details that their bodies were mummified and they think dead for 2 weeks. One dog dead in a kennel and two others running about. Gene was apparently dead downstairs and his wife was dead in a bathroom surrounded by pills. Very strange.


www.dailymail.co.uk

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa are found dead in Santa Fe home

Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their Santa Fe home.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

"One of their three dogs was found dead inside a kennel, according to Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza who told TMZ police found two surviving dogs at Hackman's residence on Wednesday.
While officials had said foul play is not suspected, Mendoza said he's not ruling anything out in the deaths. He added that no suicide note was found and there were no obvious signs of trauma to the bodies.
Hackman's daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, said she thinks her father and his wife died from carbon monoxide poisoning. She told TMZ that while they are not sure of the couple's cause of death, they think it could be due to inhaling toxic fumes.
The two-time Oscar winner, whose estimated net worth is $80million, just turned 95 in late January. He became a recluse in the last 20 years of his life, after retiring from acting in 2004. He packed up his things, left Los Angeles for a quiet life in New Mexico - and he never looked back. "
 
Daily Mail has quite the article. I'm not going to link it. They called the warrant an ARREST warrant which I'd think is a "mistake". DM does stuff like this so often I somehow doubt it was accidental.
If someone wants to read that one, it's out there.

A bit sensational of course. It's likely where some of the comments I'm seeing are coming from, or is part of the source of some of it...
 
Tresir said:
Yes this article has details that their bodies were mummified and they think dead for 2 weeks. One dog dead in a kennel and two others running about. Gene was apparently dead downstairs and his wife was dead in a bathroom surrounded by pills. Very strange.


www.dailymail.co.uk

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa are found dead in Santa Fe home

Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead in their Santa Fe home.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

"One of their three dogs was found dead inside a kennel, according to Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza who told TMZ police found two surviving dogs at Hackman's residence on Wednesday.
While officials had said foul play is not suspected, Mendoza said he's not ruling anything out in the deaths. He added that no suicide note was found and there were no obvious signs of trauma to the bodies.
Hackman's daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, said she thinks her father and his wife died from carbon monoxide poisoning. She told TMZ that while they are not sure of the couple's cause of death, they think it could be due to inhaling toxic fumes.
The two-time Oscar winner, whose estimated net worth is $80million, just turned 95 in late January. He became a recluse in the last 20 years of his life, after retiring from acting in 2004. He packed up his things, left Los Angeles for a quiet life in New Mexico - and he never looked back. "
Click to expand...
We must have posted at about the same time. I took had just read the DM article. It's hard to know what to take as fact from them, they called the warrant an "arrest" warrant.

I was seeing a lot of comments out there and now I know where most came from. Yes, I heard there were two other dogs that were fine. Carbon monoxide is questionable for a few reasons but I sure can see why thought of when two people and one dog are all dead (but two dogs alive?).

Hopefully there will be some respect shown out there (people are already stating things as fact that are not) until it is known what happened.

By the way, there must be more than one DM article. Yours is not the one I read.

The one I read said she was found in the bathroom, there was a space heater near here they thought may have fallen. The dog was in a closet off the bathroom. He was in the mudroom and his sun glasses and cane were near him. The door was open. One dog was in the house (of the two surviving) and one was roaming around outside I believe.

Of course again this is DM.

They also called the warrant an "arrest" warrant in the one I read. Lots of other things in that one. It said pills were strewn on the counter in the bathroom.

Who wears sunglasses in the home? Was he outside and just coming in, or headed outside?
 
GrandmaBear said:
We must have posted at about the same time. I took had just read the DM article. It's hard to know what to take as fact from them, they called the warrant an "arrest" warrant.

I was seeing a lot of comments out there and now I know where most came from. Yes, I heard there were two other dogs that were fine. Carbon monoxide is questionable for a few reasons but I sure can see why thought of when two people and one dog are all dead (but two dogs alive?).

Hopefully there will be some respect shown out there (people are already stating things as fact that are not) until it is known what happened.

By the way, there must be more than one DM article. Yours is not the one I read.

The one I read said she was found in the bathroom, there was a space heater near here they thought may have fallen. The dog was in a closet off the bathroom. He was in the mudroom and his sun glasses and cane were near him. The door was open. One dog was in the house (of the two surviving) and one was roaming around outside I believe.

Of course again this is DM.

They also called the warrant an "arrest" warrant in the one I read. Lots of other things in that one. It said pills were strewn on the counter in the bathroom.

Who wears sunglasses in the home? Was he outside and just coming in, or headed outside?
Click to expand...
Yes i have just read the other one too. The place looks huge so were there no people visiting frequently for housework and gardening etc? They were dead for two weeks and nobody missed them or called them? Seems weird to me.
 
Well that's two articles now that seems to say no gas leak. I thought such odd in a huge home in NM and where maintenance was likely good but understandable the thought since a dog was dead as well as two people.

That changes a lot. So what in the heck happened? Did they even die at the same time? I think tox is going to matter in this case.

The space heater seems odd. Said in one article maybe it fell.

And if not CO then why did the dog end up in a closet?

It really is all odd.

Some things in the rash of quick news are apt to change as things settle a bit, I'd imagine. Hard to say.
 
Cousin Dupree said:
www.usatoday.com

Gene Hackman, wife's deaths 'suspicious': Grim details emerge in search warrant

A search warrant includes new details about the death of actor Gene Hackman that law enforcement officers call "suspicious."
www.usatoday.com
Click to expand...

Authorities found the actor was in a mudroom near his cane, appearing to have fallen, while wife Arakawa, 64, was found in an open bathroom near a space heater, according to the warrant.
An open prescription bottle and pills were scattered on the nearby countertop, the warrant says. A deputy observed Arakawa with "body decomposition, bloating in her face" and mummification of her hands and feet.

View |16 Photos
Gene Hackman dies at 95 alongside his wife: Photos of his career
See the career of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead alongside his wife and their dog in their New Mexico home on Feb. 26, 2025.
The pair were found around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday by two maintenance workers. Both men told police they rarely saw the couple when conducting maintenance on the home and "primarily communicated with the female homeowner (Arakawa)."
One of the couple's German shepherds was also found dead less than 15 feet from Arakawa in a closet, while their other two dogs were found alive in the bathroom near Arakawa and outside.
80684221007-1734101.jpg

Actor Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa attend the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 19, 2003, in Beverly Hills, … Show more
JON KOPALOFF, GETTY IMAGES
According to investigators, the scene was "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation" after several things found at the scene including the front door open and unlocked, a healthy dog "running loose on the property," another "healthy dog" found near Arakawa and the dead dog and moved heater found near the actor's wife.
They also cited an open pill bottle and scattered prescription pills next to Arakawa as well as no obvious signs of a gas leak and Hackman being in a different room than his wife.The New Mexico Gas Co. investigated the residence, the warrant says, but "as of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."
A spokesperson for the New Mexico Gas Co. confirmed to USA TODAY that they "provide natural gas service at the address" and "are assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading an investigation." They directed additional requests for comment to the sheriff's office. USA TODAY has reached out to reps for the department for comment.
The warrant says when law enforcement officials arrived at the home, the front door was open. All other buildings and the garage were locked, according the warrant.

Gene Hackman, wife met at California gym​

According to the search warrant, "there are no immediate signs or indications of blunt force trauma" on both Hackman and Arakawra.
 
Tresir said:
Yes i have just read the other one too. The place looks huge so were there no people visiting frequently for housework and gardening etc? They were dead for two weeks and nobody missed them or called them? Seems weird to me.
Click to expand...
One article said something on the order of an associate found them, or acquaintance, I forget but the other two say the two maintenance workers did. And perhaps they left the door open when they called LE? I'm assuming they called LE.

Were they allowed to enter on their own generally? I wouldln't expect my maintenance workers to come in looking for me if I did not answer (don't have any). Maybe the door was open or unlocked and they saw him in the mudroom and then found her?

Yes, the place does look huge. Also, I do not think we have any indication of how far these rooms were apart from each other. It could be a LONG ways. Or nearby, hard to say with that size of a house.

I hate to say this but could one have found the other dead and then killed self? Or one have killed the other and then killed self? I don't want to get wild here and I sure would not do it out there but this is just not adding up. Not so far anyhow.

Could she have found him dead and not wanted to continue and killed self (pills?) and dog? Maybe this dog was "hers". I know they were "theirs" but couples do that sometimes. My kid and hub just got two kittens and they "each" have "one". It happens, maybe she just did not want to leave at least the one behind.

Total speculation I know but if gas is out, then something else happened.

The open door is a bit odd but maybe he had just come in and then fell in the mudroom right at that moment. Mudrooms are usually the entry. Only DM said he had sunglasses near him. The USA Today did not, only mentioned his cane.
 
Tresir said:
Authorities found the actor was in a mudroom near his cane, appearing to have fallen, while wife Arakawa, 64, was found in an open bathroom near a space heater, according to the warrant.
An open prescription bottle and pills were scattered on the nearby countertop, the warrant says. A deputy observed Arakawa with "body decomposition, bloating in her face" and mummification of her hands and feet.

View |16 Photos
Gene Hackman dies at 95 alongside his wife: Photos of his career
See the career of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead alongside his wife and their dog in their New Mexico home on Feb. 26, 2025.
The pair were found around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday by two maintenance workers. Both men told police they rarely saw the couple when conducting maintenance on the home and "primarily communicated with the female homeowner (Arakawa)."
One of the couple's German shepherds was also found dead less than 15 feet from Arakawa in a closet, while their other two dogs were found alive in the bathroom near Arakawa and outside.
80684221007-1734101.jpg

Actor Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa attend the 60th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 19, 2003, in Beverly Hills, … Show more
JON KOPALOFF, GETTY IMAGES
According to investigators, the scene was "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation" after several things found at the scene including the front door open and unlocked, a healthy dog "running loose on the property," another "healthy dog" found near Arakawa and the dead dog and moved heater found near the actor's wife.
They also cited an open pill bottle and scattered prescription pills next to Arakawa as well as no obvious signs of a gas leak and Hackman being in a different room than his wife.The New Mexico Gas Co. investigated the residence, the warrant says, but "as of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."
A spokesperson for the New Mexico Gas Co. confirmed to USA TODAY that they "provide natural gas service at the address" and "are assisting the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading an investigation." They directed additional requests for comment to the sheriff's office. USA TODAY has reached out to reps for the department for comment.
The warrant says when law enforcement officials arrived at the home, the front door was open. All other buildings and the garage were locked, according the warrant.

Gene Hackman, wife met at California gym​

According to the search warrant, "there are no immediate signs or indications of blunt force trauma" on both Hackman and Arakawra.
Click to expand...
A "moved" heater. Was it on I wonder. DM speculated (think it was them) that maybe it fell, or they got that from someone.

The open door, one dog in, one out.

I know for a fact sadly that severe head injuries do not always show signs of any blunt force, etc.

It's definitely a head scratcher at this point.

May they RIP.
 
Psheesh! Now I am seeing in an article that a neighbor was concerned for their welfare and called. Just WHO can one believe from "news"?

Not the only thing, the dog was reported to be in a kennel but then in a closet.
 
This article also says she showed signs of decomp but that isn't mentioned regarding him.

Not sure who the article is from or I'd link it. I am seeing it on a YT video. If I find out, I will try to find it.
 
Okay and now this same article says a maintenance worker who responded found the front door open. SO did a neighbor call and then a maintenance worker go as well? This would mean the maintenance worker did not leave it open but it was that way.

Getting frustrated with the different reporting.

I think of a mud room as near the back door, not the front, but who knows.
 
Kimster said:
Someone at work said the dog was in a crate, but I'm seeing it was locked up in a room?
Click to expand...
It was shut in a closet according to one report and in a kennel in another report. I am thinking like a walk in closet. Wonder if she fell and died against the closet door and the dog was in the closet and so died in there as it couldnt get out.

So a mud room is like what we call a boot room - for muddy boots?
 
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