Overview

• Gene Hackman, 93, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025, alongside one of their three dogs.
• Initial investigations ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning and significant gas leaks as causes of death, though a minor gas leak was detected at the stove.
• Authorities are examining a tablet container found near Arakawa's body, describing it as a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
• The couple's bodies, partially decomposed, suggest they had been deceased for over a week before being found, with Hackman's pacemaker indicating February 17 as the likely date of death.
• A mix-up initially led to the wrong dog being declared dead; their German Shepherd and another dog survived, while their Australian Kelpie mix was confirmed deceased.