Gene Hackman’s wife was found ‘mummified’ leaving authorities confused about the de@ths of legendary actor, wife and dog

Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found “mummified” in their home, it has been claimed.

The legendary actor, 95, and classical pianist, 64, were found de@d on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in their Santa Fe house, alongside their pet dog.

Local media outlet the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the sad news in the early hours of Thursday morning, Feb. 27.

According to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, Arakawa was found in a bathroom and it appeared that she had been de@d “for some time”, as her body was found in a state of decomposition.

She reportedly had bloating in her face, and mummification in both her hands and feet, with their deceased dog discovered in a closet in the bathroom.

Hackman was found in a separate room, and was fully clothed at the time.

While there are no immediate concerns regarding foul play, the outlet reports that Hackman’s family believe carbon monoxide poisoning may be to blame.

His daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, told the publication that everyone is unsure of what happened, but think the cause may be related to toxic fumes.

However, TMZ reports that the fire department – and the New Mexico gas company – visited the property and found no signs of carbon monoxide leaks.

“As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated with the pipes in and around the residence,” the latter added, via the publication.

A cause of death has yet to be confirmed, with investigations still ongoing.

A neighbor called in with concerns about their wellbeing, with officers performing a welfare check on their home.

It was then that their bodies were discovered, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Denise Avila said.

KOB4 reports that police were dispatched at around 1:45pm, with the sheriff’s office eventually identifying the couple in the evening.

In an interview Wednesday evening, the sheriff said there are no immediate concerns about foul play, though he did not provide a cause of de@th.

A statement from the sheriff, as reported by PA, reads: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.

“This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.’

He continued: “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant.”

Legendary actor, Hackman received two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and the Silver Bear throughout his six-decade career.

The couple had been married since 1991 and moved to New Mexico from Los Angeles in 2004. They were last seen out in the Santa Fe area together on March 28, 2024.

Born in California in 1930, Hackman enlisted in the army after lying about his age at 16, serving for four-and-a-half years in the Marines before deciding to pursue a career in acting.

Hackman appeared in countless iconic roles but will perhaps be best remembered for his two Academy Award Winning parts.

He won his first Oscar for the part of Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in William Friedkin’s thriller The French Connection (1971) and the other for Best Supporting Actor for his role as ‘Little’ Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Western film Unforgiven (1992).

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