Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs were found dead in their Santa Fe home, authorities confirmed. A maintenance worker discovered their bodies after noticing the front door was open, investigators reported.

Hackman, 95, was found in a mudroom, while Arakawa, 63, was discovered in a bathroom near a space heater. A prescription bottle and scattered pills were found nearby. Authorities noted there were no signs of foul play, wounds, or gunshot injuries.

The New Mexico Gas Co. conducted tests on the home’s gas lines but found no issues, and the fire department detected no signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Investigators acknowledged that poisoning symptoms might not always be immediately visible.

Gene Hackman: A Legacy in Film

Gene Hackman, renowned for his versatility, was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. His career spanned from the 1960s to the early 2000s, portraying heroes, villains, and complex antiheroes in dramas, comedies, and action films.

His family released a statement expressing 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.”

Discovery and Investigation

The maintenance worker, who had arrived for routine work, alerted police upon discovering the bodies. He and another worker reported that they had rarely seen the couple and last had contact with them about two weeks earlier.

Gene Hackman appeared to have fallen, according to authorities. He was found wearing a blue T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and slippers, with a cane and sunglasses nearby. A deceased German shepherd was discovered in a bathroom closet, while two other dogs—one inside and one outside—were found unharmed.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has not yet determined the cause of death. A spokesperson for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center declined to comment on the investigation’s findings.

Hollywood and Personal Life

Tributes from the film industry poured in following the news of Gene Hackman’s passing. Actor-director Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman’s co-star in Unforgiven, stated:
“There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”

Gene Hackman was a five-time Oscar nominee, winning for The French Connection (1972) and Unforgiven (1992). His death comes just days before this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.

Born in California, Arakawa was a classically trained pianist. She met Gene Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a gym in California. The couple moved to Santa Fe in the late ’80s, settling into a gated, Southwestern-style ranch home with views of the Rocky Mountains.

Gene Hackman also had a career as a novelist, co-writing Wake of the Perdido Star in 1999 and later publishing two solo works, including Pursuit (2013).

A Quiet Life in Retirement

Unlike many Hollywood stars, Gene Hackman maintained a low profile in retirement, rarely making public appearances outside of awards shows. He was last seen in the media in 2023, when a news outlet reported on him running errands and stopping for a meal at Wendy’s.

Gene Hackman is survived by three children from a previous marriage. He and Arakawa had no children together but were known for their love of German shepherds.

In a rare 2020 interview, Gene Hackman shared that he and Arakawa enjoyed watching DVDs of independent films. “We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce,” he said.

The film world mourns the loss of an iconic actor whose legacy will endure for generations.