On Wednesday, February 26, news broke that Hackman and Arakawa had been found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. The entertainment industry was left in shock, mourning the loss of the two-time Academy Award-winning actor, whose career spanned decades. Initial reports indicated that no foul play was suspected, but as more details emerged, authorities deemed the situation suspicious enough to warrant a deeper investigation.
Reports from law enforcement revealed that Hackman, 95, was discovered in the mudroom of his home in a state of partial mummification, while Arakawa was found in a bathroom, next to a bottle of pills. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza later described the presence of the pills as a “significant” piece of evidence in the case.
In an interview with TMZ, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, expressed uncertainty about what could have caused her parents’ deaths. One theory the family considered was carbon monoxide poisoning, a silent killer that can strike without warning.
“The house is fairly modern, built in 2000,” Elizabeth explained. “But we don’t know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were any recent service calls to the property.”
Despite the concerns, investigations by the Santa Fe City Fire Department and the New Mexico Gas Company found no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak or gas-related poisoning in the home. This revelation only deepened the mystery surrounding the deaths, as authorities worked to determine what had transpired.
Sheriff Mendoza provided another key detail in the timeline of events when he revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker had recorded its final heartbeat on February 17. Given this information, authorities believe that the acclaimed actor likely passed away on that date, nine days before his body was found.
As speculation continues to swirl regarding what exactly happened, Hackman’s neighbors have begun to speak out, shedding light on how infrequently they saw the actor and his wife in the years leading up to their deaths. Living in a private, gated community approximately five miles from Santa Fe, the couple appeared to have maintained a highly reclusive lifestyle.
James Everett, a part-time resident who lived next door to Hackman and Arakawa for around five years, described how their paths rarely crossed.
“They have a gate, and we have a gate, and we just have never even seen each other,” Everett told The New York Times.
Another neighbor, Bud Hamilton, who lived in the other house adjacent to Hackman’s property for approximately 20 years, recalled only sharing a meal with Hackman and Arakawa once during that time.
Longtime area resident Harvey Chalker also spoke about his brief interaction with Hackman, stating that the actor had made it clear he valued his privacy.
“He wanted to be quiet, he didn’t want to be bothered, and I don’t blame him,” Chalker said.
Hackman’s desire for solitude was well known, as he had spent the latter years of his life away from Hollywood, focusing on writing and personal pursuits. Though he had stepped out of the spotlight, his impact on the film industry remained undeniable. His performances in classics such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums cemented his legacy as one of the greatest actors of his time.
Now, as authorities await the results of autopsy and toxicology reports, the investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remains ongoing. While foul play has not been officially ruled out, no immediate signs of a struggle or forced entry were found at the scene. The medical examiner’s report, expected in the coming weeks, may provide the answers that have so far eluded investigators.
For now, friends, fans, and family members continue to mourn the loss of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, remembering the life they shared and the indelible mark Hackman left on the world of cinema.
