Gene Hackman And Wife’s Deaths Deemed ‘Suspicious’ As Investigation Unfolds

The tragic deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have taken a startling turn, with authorities now calling the circumstances “suspicious” despite initially ruling out foul play.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead inside their New Mexico home on Wednesday, along with one of their dogs.

The discovery was reportedly made by two maintenance workers who had not seen Gene Hackman or his wife in two weeks.

According to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, when the workers arrived at the residence, they found the front door ajar. While officers did not find any immediate signs of forced entry, the nature of the scene prompted further investigation.

“The death of the two deceased individuals [is] 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 warrant stated.

Authorities noted several unusual details inside the home, including a healthy dog running loose on the property while another healthy dog was found near Arakawa. Meanwhile, a deceased dog was discovered inside a closet in the bathroom.

Investigators also observed a moved heater, an open pill bottle with scattered pills next to Arakawa’s body, and Hackman lying in a separate room near the kitchen.

Arakawa was found lying on her right side on the bathroom floor near a countertop, leading authorities to suspect she may have fallen. An orange prescription bottle was also found on the counter with pills scattered nearby.

Hackman, who was fully clothed, was discovered in another room with his sunglasses on the floor beside him, raising speculation that he, too, may have fallen.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza previously stated that foul play was not suspected, but the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) is still working to determine the official cause of death.

Mendoza told TMZ that the couple had been dead for at least a day before they were found. However, a new report now suggests that Arakawa’s body was in a more advanced state of decomposition, with bloating and early signs of mummification on her hands and feet.

Initially, Hackman’s family believed the couple may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, but that theory has since been dismissed.

New Mexico Gas Company officials stated Thursday that they found “no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated with the pipes in and around the residence.”

Additionally, the fire department conducted tests and found no traces of a carbon monoxide leak.

Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner known for films such as "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," retired from Hollywood in 2004 and had been living a quiet life in New Mexico with Arakawa.

He is survived by his three children, Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, whom he shared with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese.

As the investigation into Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths continues, authorities remain focused on piecing together what truly happened inside the couple’s home.

News of Gene Hackman’s passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with tributes pouring in from former colleagues, admirers, and fans alike. The two-time Academy Award-winning actor leaves behind a legacy that has inspired generations of actors and filmmakers.

Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola took to Instagram to share his condolences, recognizing Hackman’s unparalleled contributions to cinema. “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss and celebrate his existence and contribution," he wrote.

Actor Nathan Lane, who starred alongside Hackman in the 1996 comedy "The Birdcage," also expressed his admiration for the late actor in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“Gene Hackman was my favorite actor, as I think I told him every day we worked together on The Birdcage,” Lane shared. “Getting to watch him up close, it was easy to see why he was one of our greatest. You could never catch him acting. Simple and true, thoughtful and soulful, with just a hint of danger.”

As Hollywood mourns the loss of one of its most respected actors, Hackman’s remarkable body of work ensures that his legacy will endure for generations to come.