Legendary actor Gene Hackman was found dead in his home on February 26, 2025, at the age of 95. Along with the Superman star, the bodies of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog were also found. While no foul play is suspected, an investigation into their deaths was launched by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, and their causes of death were announced on March 7, 2025.
What Happened to Gene Hackman and His Wife?
According to multiple outlets, authorities were called to Hackman’s house in Hyde Park around 1:45 p.m. on February 26, 2025. Hackman, Arakawa and their dog were all found deceased, according to the county sheriff’s public information officer, Denise Womack Avila.
“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time. However, the exact cause of death has not been determined,” Avila said in a statement to NBC News.
A welfare check was requested after a neighbor contacted the police, and the bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were not formally identified until 12:30 a.m. on February 27, 2025.
Elizabeth Jean Hackman, Hackman’s daughter who he shared with his first wife, Faye Maltese, spoke with TMZ and said that she believed that their deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
More Shocking Discoveries Emerged After a Detective Sought a Search Warrant
A Santa Fe detective wrote in his affidavit that “the death of the two deceased individuals [was] suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” according to another report from TMZ.
The detective reasoned that was “because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak.”
Arakawa was found in the bathroom on the ground near the countertop, lying on her right side with a black space heater found close to her head. The deputy theorized it could have tipped over if Betsy fell down abruptly to the ground. Her body was tragically in a state of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet.
Hackman was found elsewhere fully clothed, and they suspected he may have suddenly fallen, because his sunglasses were nearby.
The fire department paid a visit and said they did not see any signs of carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, per the report. The New Mexico gas company came to the residence and conducted testing on the gas lines before determining, “As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.”
Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Causes of Death Are Determined
Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, while Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor, according to Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner for the state of New Mexico. Jarrell revealed the findings at a press conference on March 7, 2025.
Jarrell added that authorities believe Hackman died on February 18, 2025, eight days prior to his body being found. That was the last date his pacemaker showed activity.
Officials believe Arakawa died from natural causes on the evening of February 11, 2025, one week prior to her husband’s death. “The cause of death for Mrs. Hackman is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The cause of death is natural,” Jarrell told reporters.
HPS is a rare infectious disease that can lead to life-threatening cardiac and pulmonary problems according to the Mayo Clinic. It begins with flu-like symptoms that can rapidly worsen. Infection is primarily caused by inhaling hantaviruses from rodent droppings or saliva.
Who Was Gene Hackman’s Wife, Betsy Arakawa?
Arakawa was a classical pianist and had been married to Hackman for over 30 years at their time of death. They began dating in 1984 and eventually tied the knot in 1991.
Hackman was previously married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986, and they had three children together. However, he made it clear that he didn’t leave Maltese for Arakawa. Hackman and Maltese, who died in 2007, separated a few years before their divorce was finalized.
He told the Florida South Sun-Sentinal in 1985 that he “did not leave his wife for a younger woman.” Instead, the Popeye star explained that he and Maltese “just drifted apart. We lost sight of each other. When you work in this business, marriage takes a great deal of work and love.”
Gene Hackman Retired Due to a ‘Health Warning’
At the age of 74, Hackman was given a “health warning” from his doctor in 2004.
“The business for me is very stressful,” the French Connection star said at the time.
He later revealed that the stress was taking a toll on his heart and spoke about his health during an interview with Empire in 2009.
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was actually a stress test that I took in New York,” Hackman explained. “The doctor advised me that my heart wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress.”
As he aged, the Hoosiers actor realized the entertainment industry was more stressful from the business side of things, as opposed to being in front of the camera. However, his love for the art of acting never faded.
“When I’m actually on the set or on a stage, actually doing the work, I loved that process and I loved the creative process of trying to bring a character to life,” Hackman added. “And then, when you’re actually shooting or performing, there is a kind of a feeling that comes over you, a confidence and kind of a wonderful, washed-over feeling of wellbeing, if you will. When it’s going well!”
He continued, “Whereas the business part of show business is kinda wicked. You jump from trying to be a sponge, if you will, in terms of input from other actors and the director and everything that’s surrounding you, you jump from that to a luncheon meeting with an agent and a producer on another film, or something that’s gone on on the film that you’re doing. It’s kind of a frying pan. It was jarring and at my age and with my health, I decided I didn’t want to do that any longer.”
Gene Hackman Was on a ‘Strict’ Diet Before His Death
Gene’s friend Doug Lanham told TMZ on February 27, 2025, that Betsy had him follow a “strict” diet to ensure that he was always “eating right.”
After noting that Betsy took her husband’s health “seriously,” Doug added that Gene could only have cheat meals when golfing with his friends.
His daughter Leslie also spoke to the Daily Mail on February 27, 2025, and said her father was in “good health.” She shared he was in “very good physical condition … despite his age” and regularly exercised,” explaining that he did “Pilates and yoga” and continued “to do that several times a week.”
However, Leslie admitted she was not “terribly shock[ed]” by his death due to his old age.
