Image Credit: WireImage
Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased with their canine at their residence in New Mexico on February 26, 2025. Hackman was 95 years of age, while his partner was 65.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza verified the fatalities in a declaration to the Santa Fe New Mexican, by way of The Guardian, on February 27: “We are able to substantiate that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead this past Wednesday.”
Following an inquiry by the police regarding the reason for their passing, additional particulars surfaced concerning the couple’s closing moments. Find out additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding their deaths right here.
What Became of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa?
Within Sheriff Mendoza’s preliminary account, officials communicated that they had discovered the physical remains of an older gentleman and a lady in her sixth decade. He endeavored to reassure the community, articulating, “I wish to make certain to the surrounding area and neighborhood that there is no present threat to anybody. We do not consider criminal activity played a role in their demise; nevertheless, the precise cause of death is still pending determination.”
Despite the initial ruling out of foul play by law enforcement, the situation subsequently underwent a shift when investigators depicted the conditions as “questionable” within a search authorization. As indicated by the warrant, the location inspired adequate worries to justify an exhaustive inquiry. Noteworthy amongst the discoveries: the main entry point was unlatched and accessible, a vigorous dog was observed unrestrained on the plot, an additional was located adjacent to Arakawa, together with a deceased canine. A space warming device had seemingly been relocated and was stationed in the vicinity of Arakawa.
The authorization additionally highlighted that the pair was discovered in distinct rooms within their Santa Fe dwelling and had been expired for an extended period. Hackman was located in a mudroom, while Arakawa was situated inside a lavatory beside the heating apparatus. In proximity, an accessible prescription container alongside strewn medications were identified on a counter surface.
The Daily Mail additionally stated that firemen were summoned to the site prompted by apprehensions concerning a potential gas discharge or carbon monoxide intoxication, yet there existed no proof of escaping gas. The outlet further mentioned that Hackman was completely attired, with his shades discovered close to his form, potentially implying that he succumbed from a sudden tumble.
The remains of Hackman and Arakawa, characterized as “partially mummified” by the Daily Mail, were not formally verified until 12:30 a.m. February 27 (2:30 a.m. ET). The pair had three dogs, two of whom were found alive, meandering on the grounds.
Gene Hackman and His Wife Betsy’s Cause of Death
Surpassing one week following their passing, the reasons were made known, according to E! News. The media source reported that Arakawa had succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — an infrequent, yet critical breathing sickness transmitted by way of rodent excretion, waste material, or saliva. On the 15th of April, authorities made public records displaying that Arakawa had searched for symptoms resembling the flu alongside breathing practices digitally linking back between February 8 leading to the early hours of February 12.
It is considered that Arakawa died on the 12th of February. Dr. Josiah Child, an erstwhile emergency medical specialist and possessor of Cloudberry Health in Santa Fe, conveyed to The Daily Mail that Arakawa had contacted the establishment and communicated with physicians who counseled her to present herself that afternoon. “We created an appointment for her, yet she failed to arrive,” he expressed. “She displayed no indications of respiratory difficulties. The reason for appointment bore no linkage to hantavirus. We endeavored to call her a couple of instances lacking a response.”
Concerning Hackman, he is supposed to have died approximately seven days following his wife on February 18, 2025. The deceased actor’s cause of death was officially attributed to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), that is, the rigidifying of the arteries, alongside Alzheimer’s Disease playing a contributing role, as indicated by E! News. The medical examiner brought up that Hackman’s Alzheimer’s existed in an “advanced condition,” and “it’s very plausible he was not mindful that [Arakawa] had died.”
Hackman and Arakawa’s dog’s passing was credited to dehydration alongside malnutrition.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa 1989 (Photo by Purschke/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
How Long Were Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Together?
Hackman and Arakawa had remained united in matrimony from 1991 forward. They commenced going out in the mid-1980s following Hackman’s separation from his former wife, Faye Maltese, whom he wedded in 1956 and separated from three decades thereafter.
An article from 1989 showcased in The New York Times stated that Hackman had been residing peacefully for the preceding five years alongside “a 28-year-old lady recognized as Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist he encountered while she was employed part-time inside a California fitness hub.”
Prior to the article, Hackman clarified in a 1985 discourse alongside the Florida South Sun-Sentinel that his separation from Maltese wasn’t attributable to deserting her for a younger female. He clarified, “We merely drifted away from one another. We lost touch. While participating within this profession, marriage necessitates significant effort and affection.”
By the year 1990, Hackman together with Arakawa had established themselves inside a freshly built residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, wherein they stayed up until their demise.
Did Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Have Children?
Hackman alongside Arakawa failed to bear any offspring as a pair.
Having said that, the actor fathered three offspring alongside his previous wife, Maltese. His son, Christopher Allen Hackman, came to be in 1960, succeeded by a daughter called Elizabeth Jean Hackman in 1962, as well as a daughter by the name of Leslie Ann Hackman in 1966.