Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa found dead at their home in New Mexico
- Authorities discovered Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa dead in their Santa Fe home in February 2025.
- Medical findings confirmed that Betsy died from hantavirus, while Gene's death was tied to heart disease and Alzheimer's.
- The investigation raised questions, especially as Betsy had reported being followed prior to their deaths, adding to the tragic mystery.
In February 2025, authorities found Gene Hackman, a renowned actor, and his wife Betsy Arakawa dead at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their untimely deaths drew public interest and prompted an investigation. According to medical investigators, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus, a rare illness caused by contact with rodents. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she was last seen in public on February 11, shortly before her passing. Meanwhile, Gene Hackman, 95, had significant heart disease, and his death was attributed to complications from Alzheimer's disease. The body camera footage released by authorities showed deputies interacting with two workers who had reported finding someone lying on the floor inside the Hackman home. Though there were no signs of forced entry or suspicious circumstances, investigators considered possible causes like a gas leak, which they later ruled out. One worker expressed concern, noting, 'Something's not right.' This underlined the eerie nature of the couple's deaths and the lack of immediate answers. As investigations progressed, a hairstylist who worked with Betsy Arakawa divulged that she had been followed on two separate occasions by a man who seemed overly interested in the couple. The hairstylist mentioned that Betsy had previously expressed concern over the man's behavior, especially when he attempted to engage with them near their residence and offered a bottle of wine. This detail raised additional questions about their safety leading up to their deaths. In a tragic twist, one of the couple's dogs was found deceased, reportedly from dehydration and starvation. This highlighted the couple's close bond with their pets, as they were known to dote on them. Betsy Arakawa had insisted on taking their dogs everywhere with her. Following the release of the couple's medical causes of death, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the case has drawn significant media attention and speculation regarding their alarming circumstances. Hackman's estate subsequently sought to protect their privacy, resulting in a court order to prevent the public release of certain images from inside their home.