Photo of Gene Hackman's House Where He Was Found Dead with His Wife and Dog – Inside His Life There

Gene Hackman lived far from the public eye, spending his later years in the Santa Fe home he painstakingly redesigned. The sprawling property, surrounded by miles of open land, was meant to be a peaceful retreat. But now, it has become the center of an investigation after a maintenance worker made a grim discovery.

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their Santa Fe home, along with one of their dogs. The couple had lived in the secluded residence for years, away from the public eye.

Now, the home that once served as their private retreat has become the center of an ongoing investigation. As authorities search for answers, a single photo offers a rare glimpse into the place where they spent their final days.

The Discovery of Hackman and His Wife's Demise

On February 26, 2025, in the afternoon, a maintenance worker arrived at Hackman's Santa Fe home for routine work. As he approached the house, he noticed the front door was open. Looking through a window, he saw a woman lying on the floor inside.

Unable to enter the locked house, he called 911 and reported what he had seen. When authorities arrived, they found Hackman, 95, lying in the entryway and his wife, Arakawa, 63, in the bathroom. A space heater was next to Arakawa's head, and a cane was near Hackman's body.

In a bathroom closet, officers discovered the couple's German shepherd dead inside a kennel. Two other dogs were found alive — one inside the house and one outside. Investigators reported no signs of forced entry, struggle, or missing belongings.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated, "There was no indication of a struggle. There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed, you know, that would be indication that there was a crime that had occurred."

The New Mexico Gas Co. inspected the home's gas lines but found no leaks. The Fire Department also tested for carbon monoxide exposure and reported no evidence of poisoning. However, authorities have not ruled out any possibilities, and autopsy and toxicology results are pending.

The search warrant affidavit suggests investigators considered gas poisoning as a potential cause, though no conclusions have been made. The deaths remain under investigation as officials work to determine what happened inside the Santa Fe home.

Hackman's Life in Santa Fe

Hackman spent his later years in Santa Fe, far from the Hollywood spotlight. After a career spanning five decades, he retired in 2004 at the age of 74, leaving acting behind. His departure was as understated as his career was illustrious.

There was no fanfare, no press release, and no public announcement heralding his exit from acting. Instead, the "Superman" star opted for a quiet withdrawal into private life alongside his wife. His decision to retire wasn't precipitated by industry shenanigans or a dwindling passion for the craft.

"I was getting great offers, but the roles were mostly doddering great-grandfathers," he said. Rather, it was a matter of health and personal well-being. Reflecting on the turning point, Hackman shared a moment that led to his retirement decision.

"The straw that broke the camel's back was actually a stress test that I took in New York," Hackman revealed. "The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress." Taking their warnings seriously, he never returned to acting.

In Santa Fe, he embraced a quiet and private lifestyle with his wife, Arakawa. The couple kept a low profile, avoiding public appearances and interviews. Hackman spent his days focused on personal interests, including writing novels and working on his home.

In 2020, a source shared that despite his age, he remained active — riding his bike, doing yard work, and taking on handyman projects. The home where he spent his final years was one he had extensively remodeled to match his vision.

Inside the Santa Fe Home Hackman Remodeled

Hackman's Santa Fe home sits on 12 acres of open land, offering sweeping views that stretch as far as the Colorado mountains. Drawn to the area after filming several movies there, he purchased the property and took on extensive renovations to reshape it to his liking.

Architect Stephen Samuelson, who worked on the project, recalled the state of the house before the remodel. "The house was horrible," he shared. "It was a 1950s block building that had sat empty and had deteriorated."

Hackman and Arakawa wanted an open design with high ceilings, French doors, and natural light—features not typical of traditional adobe homes. To achieve this, they removed 90 percent of the roof and restructured the interior to create larger spaces.

The house's final design blended pueblo, colonial New Mexico, and Spanish Baroque styles. "It's more primitive, like a barn converted into a house, massive and cozy at the same time," Samuelson said.

Hackman personally oversaw every detail of the renovation, selecting finishes, mixing paint colors himself, and ensuring that new ceiling beams were distressed to look aged.

The couple furnished the home with pieces from New York, Germany, and Los Angeles. Even in retirement, he stayed active, spending much of his time maintaining and improving the home.

Hackman and Arakawa's Life Together

Even as Hackman focused on transforming his Santa Fe home, he wasn't the only one invested in creating a life there. His wife, Arakawa, played an active role in shaping the space they shared for more than three decades.

Hackman and Arakawa first met in the early 1980s at a fitness center in Los Angeles, where Arakawa worked part-time. At the time, Hackman was still married to his first wife, Faye Maltese, though their marriage was coming to an end.

By 1984, he and Arakawa had started dating, and she moved into his Santa Fe home before his divorce was finalized. Hackman and Maltese's divorce was finalized in 1986 after 30 years of marriage. Hackman and Arakawa continued their relationship and married in 1991.

Though they never had children together, Hackman remained close to his three children from his first marriage—Leslie Anne, Elizabeth Jean, and Christopher Allen. The couple spent more than three decades together in Santa Fe, living a private and quiet life.

Arakawa was deeply involved in Hackman's home renovations and often managed aspects of the project when he was away. They kept out of the public eye, focusing on their life together away from Hollywood.

Hackman's Legacy in Film and Literature

While Hackman spent his later years in privacy, his decades-long career in Hollywood left a lasting mark. Before retiring, he had become one of the most respected actors of his generation, known for his ability to bring complex characters to life.

His breakthrough came in 1967 with "Bonnie and Clyde," and he went on to star in critically acclaimed films such as "Hoosiers" and "Superman." He won two Academy Awards—Best Actor for "The French Connection" (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for "Unforgiven" (1992)—along with four Golden Globes.

His final Hollywood project was "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004. During his career, which lasted over four decades, he starred in over 90 films and TV shows. In retirement, he wrote and published several novels, including historical fiction and thrillers.

Although he stayed out of the public eye, his work in film and literature left a lasting impact, solidifying his place as one of the greatest actors of his time.

Hackman's Last Public Appearance and Fans' Reactions

Hackman's public appearances after retiring were rare, making his final sighting in March 2024 all the more notable. At 94 years old, he was seen out with Arakawa, marking one of their few public outings together in over two decades.

Dressed in a plaid button-down shirt layered beneath a gray vest, Hackman completed his look with green-gray cargo pants, a cap, and shades. Though still mobile, he used a cane for support in one hand, while Arakawa assisted him on the other.

His frail appearance sparked strong reactions from fans, with many expressing shock at how much he had changed. "Sad in a way to see him aged," one person commented, while others noted, "That doesn't look like him one bit," and "That looks nothing like #genehackman."

Another wrote, "I love him… never would've recognized him though." A particular comment highlighted his fragile state, "It looks like the wind could take him away." Others, however, viewed his appearance more positively, focusing on his resilience.

"He's walking, he's being supported by his wife, he's shopping, he's 94 and still around. That's a win," one fan pointed out. Another commented, "Didn't even recognise him, I suppose he's doing good for his 90s."

Some expressed gratitude for simply seeing him again. "Wow, haven't seen him in a long time but thank goodness he's still living," one person wrote. Another added, "Hope I'm as mobile as him if I get to that age," while a final comment summed up the admiration, saying, "Bless his heart at 94 years old."

His unexpected passing has left fans reflecting on both his legendary career and the quiet life he chose after Hollywood. As investigators work to determine what happened, his impact — both on screen and in the lives of those who admired him — remains undeniable.