Initial Autopsy Report Released Following the Deaths of Actor Gene Hackman and His Wife, Betsy Arakawa — Details

Authorities have released initial autopsy findings after the sudden deaths of the Hollywood actor and his wife, revealing new details as the investigation continues.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office announced on their official Facebook page that after conducting examinations on February 27, 2025, investigators found no signs of foul play in the sudden deaths of actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63.

While the cause of death remains unknown, investigators have ordered additional tests. Autopsies revealed no external trauma on either individual, prompting further examination.

They have requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests, which could take weeks. The results may determine whether environmental factors or toxic substances played a role.

As the investigation progressed, new findings deepened the mystery. Authorities are calling the deaths of Hackman and his wife "suspicious."

According to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, a Santa Fe detective stated in an affidavit, "the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened."

The affidavit detailed several unusual findings: a healthy dog roaming the property, another near Arakawa's body, and a deceased dog found 10 to 15 feet away in a bathroom closet. Investigators also discovered a displaced space heater, an open pill bottle with scattered pills near Arakawa, and Hackman's body in a separate room.

Despite these observations, the affidavit added that there were "no obvious signs of a gas leak."

As reported earlier, the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe Summit home on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26.

Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila said that Sheriff deputies arrived at Hackman and Arakawa's home on Old Sunset Trail to respond to a welfare check request at around 1:45 p.m.

A welfare check, or wellness check, is a service provided by law enforcement to check on someone's well-being when there are concerns for their safety. Officers visit the individual to confirm they are safe and not in distress.

The welfare check at Hackman and Arakawa's home ended up with the police finding a couple and a dog dead. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed just after midnight on Thursday that the two-time Oscar winner Hackman, his wife, and their dog had died.

Mendoza stated that there were no immediate signs of foul play but did not disclose a cause of death or estimate when the couple had passed.

The sheriff has also notified the public that he and his team are in the middle of preliminary investigations as they wait on the approval of the search warrant. He also assured the community of their safety, adding that they were in no imminent danger.

Gene Hackman, who had left the limelight, lived an adventurous life, experiencing a winding path before his Hollywood breakthrough. He was 36 when he gained recognition in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde," a role he landed after missing out on playing Mr. Robinson in "The Graduate."

Before that, he served in the Marines, struggled to make ends meet in California and New York. At times he shared an apartment with roommates, one who was "Graduate" star Dustin Hoffman. Hackman also took on various jobs, including working as a truck driver and doorman.

After his Hollywood debut, Hackman starred in films like "The French Connection," "Hoosiers," "Unforgiven," and "The Firm," where his performances put him into the leading-man territory.

The actor, who often portrayed conflicted authority figures or cunning white-collar villains, brought depth and intensity to his roles.

His portrayal of Lex Luthor in the "Superman" films of the 1970s and 1980s remains one of his most recognizable performances. In this role, he showcased a mix of intelligence and menace.

Hackman's talent earned him two Academy Awards. He won his first Oscar for playing relentless New York cop Popeye Doyle in 1971's "The French Connection." Doyle was a detective whose pursuit of justice came at a steep personal cost.

In 1974's "The Conversation," he delivered a gripping performance as a surveillance expert whose obsession leads to paranoia. Hackman's second Oscar came in 1992 for his role as Little Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven." Daggett was a ruthless sheriff enforcing the law with brutal authority.

Aside from these films, Hackman took on a wide range of roles, portraying villains, heroes, and antiheroes across dramas, comedies, and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

In an interview with Empire, he shared his reasons for retiring at 74. "The straw that broke the camel's back was actually a stress test that I took in New York. The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress," he divulged.

Unlike many in Hollywood, he largely stayed out of the social spotlight after retiring, making only occasional appearances at award shows. His retirement remained permanent.

As for his personal life, Hackman met Arakawa in the mid-1980s while she was working part-time at a gym in California. The author and his wife soon moved in together and later settled in Santa Fe.

They purchased a large Southwestern-style ranch in a gated community with scenic views of the Rocky Mountains. Their home is located off Hyde Park Road just north of Ten Thousand Waves. Hackman was a familiar presence in town and served on the board of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum during the 1990s.

In his later years, Hackman focused on writing novels. While he had three children from a previous marriage, he and Betsy Arakawa did not have children together. In 1999, they adopted three German shepherds. The couple enjoyed watching films together, particularly smaller, independent productions.

Celebrities and fans have taken to social media to honor the late Hollywood icon. Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola mourned the passing of the remarkable artist, noting that his death was both a moment of sorrow and a time to celebrate a legendary career.

"Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution," he added.

Meanwhile, filmmaker Edgar Wright reacted to the news of Hackman's death, writing, "The greatest." George Takei has also spoken out, calling Hackman, "one of the true giants of the screen."

He added, "Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That's how powerful an actor he was."

Takei reflected on Hackman's legacy and said that as much as his presence will be deeply missed, his impact on cinema will endure for generations to come.