Gene Hackman’s dogs find new homes after tragedy strikes family
- Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa-Hackman's bodies were discovered on February 26, 2025, alongside their deceased dog, Zinna.
- The two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, were initially housed temporarily at a local daycare before being rehomed.
- Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the couple's deaths, while the surviving dogs are now in new homes.
In the United States, Gene Hackman, a celebrated actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, both died under tragic circumstances at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their bodies were discovered on February 26, 2025, by a caretaker. One of their dogs, Zinna, was found deceased, apparently due to dehydration and starvation. The other two dogs, Bear and Nikita, were still alive and managed to lead authorities to the couple’s bodies, demonstrating their loyalty and need for help during a dire situation. Zinna's death occurred in the basement, where the dog was found in a crate with an empty stomach. Gene Hackman was 95 at the time of his passing, and Betsy was 65, with her cause of death determined to be hantavirus, likely contracted prior to Hackman’s death, which was attributed to heart disease, compounded by Alzheimer’s. Initial assumptions of the timeline were corrected, revealing Betsy had made a phone call to a medical center the day after her presumed death. This emergency added a layer of incredibility on the tragic events that befell the Hackman household. Following the couple’s deaths, their two surviving dogs were temporarily placed in a local pet daycare before being rehomed, with the efforts spearheaded by Joey Padilla, the owner of Santa Fe Tails. After the attorney representing the estate consented, Bear and Nikita were placed in new homes where they are reportedly settling in well. The situation drew immense public interest, with numerous offers to adopt the dogs coming from across the country. Many criticized the tragedy and highlighted the role of the dogs in alerting authorities about the situation. As investigations into the couple's deaths continued, there were notable concerns about privacy and respect for the couple's families, prompting a temporary restraining order against the release of any graphic images or videos related to their deaths. The focus now remains on the well-being of Bear and Nikita as they begin a new chapter in their lives.