Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home.

[Laura Avery]

Gene Hackman: Death of actor and wife 'suspicious enough' for investigation, police say

Authorities say there was no sign the couple had sustained any injuries, but no cause of death has been given.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[ldlager]

True, that's possible. However this was a $4 million mansion - not an ordinary home where you have to adapt meager space to accommodate dogs...

I'm also confused about using a space heater in a $4 million home. They could afford the most luxerious heating system which, according to this site, is radiant hot water heat throughout floors and even walls.

Best Heating Systems for Santa Fe, NM Homes | Darlene Streit

Explore the best heating systems for Santa Fe, New Mexico homes. From radiant heat to geothermal pumps, discover the pros and cons of each option.

santaferealestateproperty.com

The home where they died per mainstream media was 2300 sq. Ft and worth $1 million, on one acre of land. Hardly a mansion

 

[Laura Avery]

Very sad. I'm shocked he was 95, time seems to have gone so quickly.
I'm also thinking wife has a medical incident dropping her pills , the dog ate some of the pills and Gene unfortunately perished as his carer had gone.

 

[Cedars]

Can I ask where you read 2 dogs were in the closet? That's new... trying to find updated sources. Thanks!

I read it (or perhaps misread it) on BBC, but they have now clarified that the indoor dog was just in the house, not locked in the bathroom.

"Two other, healthy dogs were found roaming the property - one inside and one outside."

Gene Hackman: Death of actor and wife 'suspicious enough' for investigation, police say

Authorities say there was no sign the couple had sustained any injuries, but no cause of death has been given.

www.bbc.com

 

[nhmemorymaker]

But, why has a relative publicly commented on nature of death so early in investigation for the police to come out today and say it looks suspicious? Maybe it's me but it seems very odd.

i gathered that the comment from the daughter was immediately when deaths were announced---before anything had been determined.
So I just find her early comments at the moment to be of zero value to the investigation.

 

[Skigh]

Two other dogs found healthy in the house. So likely not CM poisoning, especially since fire officials found no evidence of Cm when they arrived. My bet is double suicide

I find it very hard to believe they would allow their dog(s) to suffer so am still thinking they had an accident of some sort.

 

[Cedars]

The home where they died per mainstream media was 2300 sq. Ft and worth $1 million, on one acre of land. Hardly a mansion

They may have chosen to use their smaller home sometimes, but they also had a $4 million dollar home next door.

My point is, why would they stint on heat and have to use a dangerous portable heater?

"Their Southwestern-style ranch on Old Sunset Trail sits on a hill in a gated community with views of the Rocky Mountains. The 8,700 square-foot (808 square-meter), four-bedroom home on six acres was built in 1997 and had an estimated market value of a little over $4 million, according to Santa Fe County property tax records.

Hackman and his wife also owned a more modest 2,000 square-foot (186 square-meter) home next door that was built in 2000."

Actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife, 63, were dead for some time before they were discovered

Foul play was not suspected, but authorities did not release circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation was ongoing

nationalpost.com

 

[whitelilac]

The home where they died per mainstream media was 2300 sq. Ft and worth $1 million, on one acre of land. Hardly a mansion

According to this, there are two homes on the 12 acre property. The original one was extensively renovated with Hackman very involved. It also states they do not know in which house the couple were found.

See Gene Hackman's $3.8m Santa Fe home where he was found dead alongside wife Betsy

See Gene Hackman's $3.8 million Santa Fe home where he was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog

www.hellomagazine.com

I am so shocked and saddened by this very sad news this morning. May they rest in peace.

 

[Wishbone]

Inside Gene Hackman compound where he was found dead with wife and dog

Gene Hackman had spent much of his life overhauling and recreating of portfolio of impressive homes. And his two latest projects where he and his wife were found dead.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Dotta]

If this is by the front door which was 'open' perhaps Gene was either coming in or on the way out?

Also,
sunglasses and a cane were found next to his body.

I remember reading he had some heart problems, and even had an operation once?

ETA
Found it

"Hackman had been experiencing chest pains that then went down one of his arms while on vacation in Oregon.
Doctors said he was within hours of experiencing a heart attack, according to UPI.

Hackman, who was 60 at the time, underwent an angioplasty in which a balloon-catheter was inserted to unblock an artery to his heart, according to a 1990 report by the news agency United Press International."

RIP to one of the greatest actors

Gene Hackman Health: Actor Died of Alzheimer's and Heart Disease

The Hollywood legend ended his acting career in 2004 after enduring heart issues.

www-today-com.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[JDG]

True, that's possible. However this was a $4 million mansion - not an ordinary home where you have to adapt meager space to accommodate dogs...

I'm also confused about using a space heater in a $4 million home. They could afford the most luxerious heating system which, according to this site, is radiant hot water heat throughout floors and even walls.

Best Heating Systems for Santa Fe, NM Homes | Darlene Streit

Explore the best heating systems for Santa Fe, New Mexico homes. From radiant heat to geothermal pumps, discover the pros and cons of each option.

santaferealestateproperty.com

Maybe they were in the much smaller home? IIRC that’s where they were found.

 

[arielilane]

Thank you Gene Hackman for two great performances (only movies I seen of his) in The Poseidon Adventure and Bonnie and Clyde.

Speculate GH may have fallen and hit his head (again, speculative) and his wife, dead by (more speculation) suicide.

Rest easy, Betsy A.

Rest easy, sir.

Hackman in the U.S. Marine Corps

Photo credit: Wikipedia

 

[CityKid]

The home where they died per mainstream media was 2300 sq. Ft and worth $1 million, on one acre of land. Hardly a mansion

If the reported address (1425 Old Sunset Trail) is correct, the house is much larger and worth much more. AP reports "
The sprawling four-bedroom home on six acres was built in 1997 and had an estimated market value of a little over $4 million, according to Santa Fe County property tax records. Hackman and his wife also owned a more modest home next door." The smaller home may be where they lived in SF while the larger house was being built. MOO

1425 Old Sunset Trail · 1425 Old Sunset Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Building

www.google.com

Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were dead for some time, warrant shows

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies found Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and a dog dead when they performed a welfare check, a spokesperson said.

apnews.com

 

[IceIce9]

Two dogs survived

Sheriff Says Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy Were Dead for At Least a Day

The Santa Fe County Sheriff says he's not ruling anything out in the deaths of iconic actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog -- and his deputies even got a search warrant in case the investigation turns criminal, TMZ has learned.

www.tmz.com

Once they found the corpses, Mendoza says, the deputies backed out of the house and applied for a warrant to conduct a more thorough search.

 

[Cedars]

Also,
sunglasses and a cane were found next to his body.

I remember reading he had some heart problems, and even had an operation once?

ETA
Found it

Good point.

Descriptions of him apparently falling in the mudroom, and hence on his way in or out of the house, are consistent with a heart attack (rather than CO2 which makes people feel weak).

Then, wife unable to cope with it?

 

[Chimera]

Cops probe new theory on Gene Hackman's final moments

Police investigate new theory on Hollywood star Gene Hackman's final moments after he and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found dead in separate bedrooms of their Santa Fe home, police revealed. One of their three dogs was also found dead inside a kennel, located in the same bathroom where Betsy was found.

The link (below this) that the Daily Mail sources it's information from, does not mention where they were found.

Gene Hackman, wife and dog found dead under 'suspicious' circumstances at Santa Fe home

Gene Hackman, the iconic Oscar award-winning actor, has died. Hackman, his wife and their dog were found dead at their Santa Fe home.

www.kob.com

Gene Hackman 911 call reveals distressing moment actor was found dead

A distraught man was heard crying and begging for help on the 911 call.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Hackman was found dead a mud room just off the couple's kitchen.

His sunglasses and cane were on the floor next to him, sparking speculation he may have died from a fall.

Arakawa was found dead on the floor of the couple's bathroom. An open bottle of prescription pills was found partially scattered on a countertop nearby.

Obviously take the DM with a large grain of salt.
If there's any legitimacy to the second article -- I do find it disturbing, trying to piece together if his wife found him passed away, and decided to end it all ?
Of course the autopsies may reveal more.
No wounds to the bodies does not necessarily mean no foul play at all ; so I hope the investigation will be thorough.
Imo.
Omo.

 

[ttjo]

Scattered Pills Found Near Body of Hackman’s Wife as Inquiry Continues (Published 2025)

The sheriff’s office in Santa Fe County, N.M., is investigating after the actor Gene Hackman, his wife and one of their dogs were found dead inside their home.

www.nytimes.com

wow, I wonder what happened ?

 

[crhedBngr]

I loved his performance in "The Firm" and "Young Frankenstein".

RIP.



JMVHO
'

 

[Bounceycat]

Gene Hackman's Daughters and Granddaughter Break Silence on His Death: 'He Was Always Just Dad and Grandpa'

Gene Hackman's daughters and granddaughters have released a statement following the late actor's death. Hackman was found dead with his wife Betsy Arakawa on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

people.com

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss," daughters Elizabeth Hackman, Leslie Hackman and granddaughter Annie Hackman shared in a statement to PEOPLE.

 

[Chimera]

There is a ton of miscommunication and information all over the place with this case. It's now being called suspicious

Is there a link for this ?
My .02 is that it can't be totally ruled out, but ...
Tia.