Gene Hackman & Wife’s Deaths Deemed ‘Suspicious’ — ‘No Obvious Signs’ of Gas Leak: Cops
Share and Follow

New Mexico officials announced on Friday that both Gene Hackman and his wife died of natural causes.

Heather Jarrell, Office of the Medical Examiner’s Chief Medical Examiner, said Hackman, 95, died of heart disease, while his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, 65, had hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and tested positive for hantavirus. Alzheimer’s disease was listed as a contributing factor in Hackman’s death, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 27. Arakawa was discovered on the bathroom floor, in the same room where pills were scattered on the countertop. Hackman was in the mud room with sunglasses at his side.

READ: Gene Hackman & Wife’s Deaths Deemed ‘Suspicious’ — ‘No Obvious Signs’ of Gas Leak

Zenna, the couple’s kelpie mix, was found dead in a kennel in a bathroom closet near Arakawa’s body. Their two other dogs were found alive on the property.

Early on, police debunked rumors of carbon monoxide poisoning, noting there was no evidence of a gas leak. They also noted that there were no signs of forced entry despite the front door being open.

On Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said surveillance footage and other data indicated Arakawa died around February 11 and Hackman died on February 18.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that about three to four cases of hantavirus are reported annually. In the southwest, the virus is deadly in 38 to 50 percent of cases.

This story is developing…

[Feature Photo: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File]

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Florida Resident Allegedly Commits Arson Following Tragic Incident Involving Two Children and Family Dog: Authorities Report

An Escambia County resident in Florida was taken into custody following allegations…

Tragic Tale: Infant’s Heartbreaking End Alone in Motel Swing Sparks Outrage

Background: Bestway Inn Motel in Muncie, Indiana (WTHR). Insets, from left: Jacob…

Double Trouble: Police Nab Pair in Stolen Truck Linked to Home Invasion Heist

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours today, authorities apprehended…

Tragic Hero: Officer Killed in Line of Duty While Safeguarding NC Hospital Patients

A tragic incident unfolded in North Carolina when a Garner police officer…

Silver Alert Issued for Missing Vulnerable Man in California

Authorities in California are actively searching for a 69-year-old man from Inglewood,…

January 6 Gunman Sentenced for Kidnapping: Latest Developments in High-Profile Case

Left: John Banuelos after his October 2025 arrest (Cook County Sheriff”s Office).…

Tragic Family Incident: Mother Attempts Suicide Pact, Police Reveal

Left inset: Barbara Bates. Right inset: Neil Bates (Lee County Sheriff’s Office).…

Justice Served: Mother Sentenced for Attempted Murder of Disabled Son

Inset: Julie Myhre-Schnell (Ramsey County Jail). Background: The area in Ramsey County…