New details have emerged regarding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, after the couple was discovered in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, February 26.
According to a search warrant issued by Santa Fe police, the two had been deceased for quite some time before being found, with their bodies located in separate rooms.
Hackman’s body was discovered in a mudroom—a space typically used for storing shoes and outerwear—while Arakawa was found in a bathroom.
Near where Arakawa was located, officers noted an open prescription bottle with several pills scattered across the countertop.
Authorities have ruled out foul play but have not yet revealed the exact cause of their deaths.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico initially announced that an “active investigation” was underway regarding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife. Authorities confirmed that the couple was discovered at their home on Sunset Trail on Wednesday afternoon.
While the case remains open, officials stated that, at this point, there is no indication that foul play was involved.
Speaking with the Santa Fe New Mexican, Sheriff Adan Mendoza noted that investigators had not yet found any immediate signs of suspicious circumstances.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Mendoza explained.
Reassuring local residents, he added, “I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”
This heartbreaking news follows the couple’s last public appearance together a year ago—before that, they had not been seen in public for over 20 years.
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, whose career spanned several decades and earned him two Academy Awards along with four Golden Globes, tied the knot with classical pianist Betsy Arakawa in 1991.
Back in the 1980s, the couple decided to leave behind the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, opting instead for a quieter life in New Mexico. Eventually, Hackman made the decision to step away from the entertainment industry for good.
“I haven’t held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I’m not going to act any longer,” he told Reuters in 2008. “I really don’t want to do it any longer.”
Since then, the couple has maintained a low profile, with Arakawa being especially private—she has no known social media presence and has never given interviews about herself or her relationship. Hackman once mentioned that this preference for privacy played a role in their choice to settle in Santa Fe.
“Where we live, in Santa Fe, you can lead your own life and not be bothered by the latest gossip,” he shared with the Irish Independent back in 2000.
Although Hackman and Arakawa never had children together, she became a stepmother to the three kids he had with his first wife, Faye Maltese.
“It’s tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity,” Hackman reflected. “I couldn’t always be home with them when they were growing up and then, living in California, they’ve had my success always hanging over their heads.”