The entertainment world is mourning the sudden deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, found in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025. Along with one of their dogs, they were discovered under mysterious circumstances.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed there was no immediate sign of foul play, though the cause of death remains undetermined. Hackman had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s, and he and Arakawa had a private life. Authorities were alerted to their home after an unspecified report, leading to the discovery of their bodies.
Hackman’s pacemaker stopped functioning on February 17, suggesting he died nine days prior. Arakawa’s body, found near a space heater with an open bottle of pills, showed signs of “mummification.” Although carbon monoxide poisoning was initially suspected, tests ruled it out.
