Gene Hackman and wife found dead after being missing for days, warrant reveals
Court documents state the Hollywood legend and his wife had passed away long before authorities discovered them.
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home earlier this week. A police warrant reveals that their bodies had been there for some time before being discovered.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa. A newly released search warrant from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office states that the couple was found in separate rooms—Hackman in a mudroom and Arakawa in a bathroom near a space heater.
According to reports, investigators discovered an open prescription bottle and scattered pills on the bathroom countertop. However, officials have stated that neither Hackman nor Arakawa had visible wounds or injuries. At this time, law enforcement has not confirmed an official cause of death, though Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, suspects carbon monoxide poisoning.
Hackman’s daughter speaks out
In an interview with TMZ, Elizabeth Hackman shared her concerns about a potential gas leak, stating:
“The house is fairly modern, built in 2000, but we don’t know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were any recent service calls to the property.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed how long the couple had been deceased, but MailOnline reported that their bodies were in a state of partial mummification.
A legendary career and peaceful retirement
Gene Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, retired in 2004 after a career spanning more than 70 films. He won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for The French Connection (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven (1992).
After leaving the film industry, Hackman settled in New Mexico, where he pursued a quiet life painting. His daughter Elizabeth shared that The French Connection was her father’s favorite movie, a role that solidified his reputation as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
In a 2009 interview with Empire, Hackman revealed that he stepped away from acting after a stress test raised concerns about his heart health:
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York. The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”
Ongoing investigation
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office continues to examine the case, with authorities working to determine the exact cause of death. Fans around the world mourn the loss of Hackman and Arakawa, remembering them not only for their talents but for the quiet life they shared in their later years.
As investigators piece together the final moments of the couple’s lives, their legacy remains strong—especially for those who admired Hackman’s unforgettable contributions to film.
