Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been found dead under mysterious circumstances at their Santa Fe home, prompting authorities to launch a thorough investigation.
Authorities Raise Questions Over Scene Details
A search warrant obtained by TMZ reveals a Santa Fe detective found enough suspicious elements to warrant further investigation. Officers arrived at the residence after two maintenance workers—who hadn’t seen the couple in nearly two weeks—discovered the front door ajar and called 911.
Inside, investigators noted:
- Betsy Arakawa was found deceased in the bathroom, lying near a black space heater with an open pill bottle and scattered pills nearby. Her body showed signs of decomposition.
- Gene Hackman was found fully clothed in a separate room off the kitchen, with his sunglasses on the floor nearby, suggesting a sudden fall.
- A German Shepherd was found dead in a bathroom closet, while two other dogs were alive and healthy.
- No obvious gas leaks or signs of forced entry were discovered.
Investigation Ongoing
The New Mexico Gas Company ruled out a carbon monoxide leak after conducting tests. However, the presence of an unsecured front door, a deceased dog, and unusual details in the positioning of the bodies have led detectives to treat the deaths as suspicious.
Authorities continue to investigate, and the 911 call audio obtained by TMZ may provide further insight.
Source: TMZ