Deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, deemed ‘suspicious’

Authorities are investigating the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their home in New Mexico.

Hackman was often listed among the greatest American actors of the 20th century and had the ability to perform any role, including that of comic book villain Lex Luthor alongside Christopher Reeve’s Superman.

Hackman (95) met his wife, Arakawa (63), a trained pianist from Hawaii, in the mid-1980s while she was working at a gym in California, as noted in a 1989 New York Times article. They soon moved in together and by the end of that decade, they moved to Santa Fe.

A sheriff’s deputy discovered the bodies during a welfare check and noted that the circumstances surrounding their deaths seemed suspicious, warranting a deeper investigation.

In a statement released on Thursday, Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter expressed their grief: “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 will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

A search warrant filed in the Santa Fe Magistrate Court revealed no signs of obvious blunt force trauma, carbon monoxide poisoning, or forced entry into the home. While one dog was found deceased inside the residence, two other dogs were found running around the property. The warrant indicated that the bodies of Hackman and his wife appeared to have fallen suddenly.

Following the discovery of the bodies, the New Mexico Gas Company inspected the gas lines in and around the home and found no evidence of any issues. Additionally, the Fire Department reported no signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. A sheriff’s detective noted that even though there were no clear indications of a gas leak, individuals exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show obvious signs of poisoning.

The couple’s bodies were found in Santa Fe on Wednesday afternoon.