Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya offered a theory on the deaths of Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63, after officials acknowledged an error in the investigation. Authorities’ admission has also raised new questions about the case.
The mystery surrounding the couple’s deaths continues to deepen as officers investigate new findings. New Mexico officials found Hackman, Arakawa, and one of their dogs dead in their home on February 26, 2025.
Detectives deemed the circumstances “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation” because the authorities discovered the front door unsecured and open.
Maintenance workers Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay, who reportedly hadn’t seen the couple in about two weeks, discovered them. Kesler, their personal contractor for 16 years, made the urgent 911 call.
Inside the home, the couple was unresponsive, a distressing sight that left him shaken. When deputies arrived, they observed a healthy dog roaming the property and another near Arakawa’s body. A third dog was found dead inside a bathroom closet, approximately 10 to 15 feet away from her.
However, new details later clarified the deceased animal’s identity. Early reports incorrectly stated that the dog was a German Shepherd.
It was later revealed to be Zinna, a 12-year-old reddish Australian Kelpie mix that had once trained in agility for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Joey Padilla, who took in the surviving dogs at Santa Fe Tails, confirmed that Zinna was found inside a closed crate.
Meanwhile, investigators also noted a displaced heater, an open pill bottle with pills scattered nearby, and Hackman’s body in a different room. As for Arakawa, she was discovered in the bathroom, lying on her right side near the countertop.
A black space heater was positioned close to her head, leading authorities to consider whether it had been knocked over during a sudden fall.
Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition, including facial bloating and mummification in her hands and feet, indicating she had been deceased for some time.
Meanwhile, Hackman was found fully clothed in a separate room off the kitchen. His sunglasses were beside him, raising suspicions that he may have collapsed unexpectedly.
Despite initial concerns about a possible gas leak, authorities ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning following “extensive testing” at the couple’s home.
The New Mexico Gas Company confirmed, “As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.”
With gas leaks ruled out, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya offered insight into the possible timeframe of Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths.
Though he was not among the first responders, he pointed out that both bodies were in a similar state, suggesting they may have died around the same time. He also noted that the property was expansive and covered over 9,000 square feet with three separate structures.
The property’s layout presented challenges, but officials confirmed that Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog were all found within the same structure. Moya shared that a paramedic returning from the scene relayed this information.
In addition, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza disclosed that Hackman’s pacemaker last recorded activity on February 17, 2025. Investigators believe this was likely the day he passed, as his body was not discovered until nine days later.
Meanwhile, Moya stated that during his three years in the role, the fire department and emergency medical services had never been called to the couple’s residence before this incident. He also confirmed that their involvement in the investigation ended on February 27, 2025, with the case now fully under the sheriff’s department.
Authorities are still working to piece together the circumstances surrounding Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths, but many details remain unclear. As investigators retrace the couple’s final days, they continue gathering evidence to determine what led to their deaths.
That said, medical experts have offered possible explanations. James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut, is not involved in the case but provided insight into similar situations.
He ruled out the likelihood of a “companion suicide,” explaining, “I’ve seen cases like that — usually they’re together in bed. The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely.”
Gill suggested that Hackman’s medical history could have played a role. “From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems like he may have collapsed — he’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual,” he said.
While the actor’s medical history may explain his sudden collapse, questions remain about Arakawa’s death and whether it was connected to his. Gill suggested that the stress of witnessing a loved one’s death can sometimes trigger a fatal response.
According to him, in some cases, extreme emotional shock can lead to a natural death. Another possibility, he said, is that Arakawa may have passed first, and Hackman collapsed while trying to get help.
Given his age and history of heart disease, Gill explained that this scenario was just as likely, though an autopsy would determine if Arakawa had any underlying health conditions.
Although uncommon, Gill acknowledged that two people dying naturally within a short time frame — sometimes called a “broken heart-type thing” — has been known to occur. The shock of discovering a deceased loved one can cause a surge of adrenaline, potentially leading to an irregular heartbeat.
He also pointed out that in some cases, grief can lead individuals to take their own lives, sometimes through medication or other means. However, he emphasized that toxicology testing would be necessary to rule out any involvement of substances.
According to Gill, autopsy and toxicology results would ultimately provide answers, adding that without those findings, any conclusions at this stage would be speculative. He also dismissed the possibility of a scenario where a dependent person dies after their caregiver suddenly passes, as Hackman was mobile and able to care for himself.
Gill noted that certain pacemakers and defibrillators track heart rhythms using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which could help pinpoint the time of death.
As investigators search for answers, those who knew the couple remember them as devoted animal lovers who treated their dogs like family. Friends described Hackman as a lifelong German Shepherd enthusiast, deeply committed to the well-being of his pets.
Their sudden deaths, along with one of their dogs, have left friends and the community stunned. While the cause remains unknown, those close to them insist they would never endanger their pets.
Steff Smith, founder of the Southwest German Shepherd Society, described Hackman as a “softy” who teared up when adopting his first dog. He and Arakawa later adopted two more and remained loyal supporters of the organization.
The couple became increasingly private in recent years, retreating from social interactions. Friends who once visited regularly noticed they no longer welcomed guests. Even those closest to them had not seen the duo in years, though no one suspected anything was wrong.
Despite their seclusion, Arakawa kept in touch with a few people and exchanged emails in the weeks before her death without raising any concerns.
However, her routine calls to her 91-year-old mother in Hawaii suddenly stopped in October 2024, leaving family members worried. When authorities delivered the tragic news, her mother struggled to comprehend it.
As those close to Arakawa grappled with the loss, the film industry mourned Hackman’s passing, remembering his enduring legacy. Morgan Freeman honored his “dear friend” at the recent Oscar Awards. He reflected on his influence, saying, “He received two Oscars but more importantly he won the hearts of film lovers all over the world.”
As investigators work to uncover the truth behind Hackman and Arakawa’s mysterious deaths, those who knew them continue to grieve the loss of a couple known for their quiet devotion to each other, their animals, and their passions.
While questions remain, Hackman’s legacy endures — both in the hearts of his loved ones and in the countless performances that cemented his place in cinematic history.
