Authorities are continuing their investigation into the tragic deaths of Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The couple, along with one of their beloved dogs, were found dead in their home in New Mexico on Wednesday. The news has shocked and saddened fans around the world.
According to reports, investigators have retrieved an assortment of prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as cellphones and medical records, from the couple’s home. However, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has stated that he is confident there was no foul play involved in their deaths. He also mentioned that the autopsy results will provide more information and help determine what happened to the couple.
At this point, without the autopsy results, it is difficult to determine how long the couple had been deceased. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have been deemed suspicious enough to require a thorough investigation, as stated in a search warrant affidavit issued on Thursday.
Mendoza also revealed that several doors around the house were unlocked, and one door in the rear of the house was open. This contradicts earlier reports that stated the front door was open. Hackman’s body was found near the rear of the house, while his wife’s body was found in a bathroom. The third victim, their dog, was found in a dog crate not far from Arakawa’s body. The couple had three German shepherds, and the other two were found alive and healthy on the property.
The search warrant affidavit also mentioned that the Santa Fe Fire Department and the New Mexico Gas Company were called to the residence, but no toxic fumes or leaky pipes were found. This has led investigators to believe that the cause of death was not related to any environmental factors.
Gene Hackman had a storied career in the entertainment industry, spanning over six decades. He was known for his versatility and talent, appearing in Broadway shows, television, and over 80 films. He was a highly acclaimed actor, winning two Oscars for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven. He also received three other Oscar nominations for his work in Bonnie and Clyde, I Never Sang for My Father, and Mississippi Burning.
Hackman’s work crossed genres, and he was known for his roles in action movies, thrillers, and comedies. Some of his most notable films include The Poseidon Adventure, Young Frankenstein, Superman, Hoosiers, The Birdcage, and The Royal Tenenbaums. His last film was Welcome to Mooseport in 2004.
The news of Hackman’s passing has been met with an outpouring of love and remembrance from his fellow artists. Director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman on the 1974 film The Conversation, posted on Instagram, “The loss of a great artist is always cause for both mourning and celebration. Gene Hackman was a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Actor Morgan Freeman, who starred alongside Hackman in the film Under Suspicion, also shared his thoughts on Instagram, “One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French film Gardé a Vue to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend.”
The loss of Gene Hackman has left a void in the entertainment industry, and his talent and contributions will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
