Following the heartbreaking discovery of Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs in their Santa Fe residence, speculation about the circumstances of their deaths quickly emerged. Many wondered if the situation was truly accidental or if something more nefarious had taken place. Recently, a forensic expert has proposed a sorrowful theory suggesting that their deaths were the result of a tragic accident rather than foul play.
The shocking news reverberated through Hollywood and among fans on February 26, 2025. Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found deceased in their home, along with one of their dogs, while two other dogs were discovered alive. The details of the scene inside their residence left authorities searching for clarity.
Upon arrival, law enforcement observed that the bathroom door near the entrance was ajar. Arakawa was found on the floor inside, with a black space heater nearby and an open prescription bottle with scattered pills on the counter. In a closet within the same bathroom, the body of a German Shepherd was also located.
Further examination of the home revealed Hackman in the mudroom, with his cane and sunglasses lying on the ground beside him. Both he and his wife appeared to have collapsed suddenly, showing signs of decomposition.
Authorities quickly dismissed the possibility of foul play, noting the lack of visible blunt force trauma or signs of forced entry. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that the couple had been deceased for some time before their discovery. Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last heartbeat on February 17, providing investigators with a probable timeline for his death.
Initial theories suggested carbon monoxide poisoning due to the simultaneous nature of their deaths. However, after comprehensive testing, the Santa Fe City Fire Department ruled this out, finding no evidence of the toxic gas in the home.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, a former chief medical examiner in New York City, has since proposed a theory regarding the tragic events leading to their deaths. He believes that Hackman likely experienced a fatal heart attack. His pacemaker, which monitors heart activity and regulates pulse rates, recorded a final event consistent with cardiac arrest. Given Hackman’s advanced age and history of coronary artery disease, he was particularly susceptible.
Gene Hackman and his wife were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, 2025. Credit: Shutterstock
Dr. Michael Baden theorizes that Arakawa was still alive when her husband collapsed and likely hurried to get his blood pressure medication from the bathroom. In her rush, she may have spilled the pills, slipped, and hit her head during the fall. The space heater found near her head could have contributed to her fatal injury. If she sustained internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury, she might have lost consciousness and died before she could reach Hackman.
The pills scattered on the counter near her body lend credence to the idea that she had retrieved the medication but was unable to return to her husband in time. This heartbreaking sequence of events may have led to both of their deaths, with neither able to assist the other in their final moments.
The presence of their deceased dog added another layer of intrigue to the situation. The dog was found in a closet within the bathroom, prompting speculation about whether it had succumbed to the same unknown cause. However, Baden believes the dog’s death was likely due to dehydration and starvation, as it may have been trapped without access to food or water for over a week.
The couple’s two surviving dogs were found alive on the property—one near Arakawa’s body in the bathroom and the other outside the home. The differing fates of the three animals suggest that the deceased dog may have been accidentally locked in the bathroom closet, unable to escape after its owners passed away.
Authorities initially misidentified the deceased dog, leading to confusion among those close to the couple. Early reports indicated that Bear, their German Shepherd, had died, but it was later confirmed that it was actually their other dog, Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, who was found in the closet. Bear and their third dog, Nikita, were taken in by a local animal shelter following the incident.
Sheriff Mendoza acknowledged the error, explaining that investigators, who do not often handle cases involving dogs, may have mistakenly identified the breed. While this correction may seem minor, it held significant importance for those who knew the couple and their pets.
Despite the initial confusion and rampant speculation, Baden’s theory offers a heartbreaking yet plausible explanation. What initially appeared to be a mysterious and suspicious case may have simply been a tragic accident, where two individuals who deeply loved each other faced a series of devastating misfortunes.
For those grieving the loss of Hackman and Arakawa, this explanation provides a painful but comprehensible resolution. Their final moments, though filled with tragedy, reflect the profound bond they shared—a love so strong that they remained inseparable in both life and death.