The heartbreaking news of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa’s passing was announced today. The pair were found dead in their home in New Mexico in the US, with their family suspecting carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause. His daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, told TMZ that while the exact cause is still unknown, they believe toxic fumes could have played a role. Despite no signs of foul play, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that investigations are ongoing. The couple’s home, built in 2000, is relatively modern with no known history of gas leaks or service calls. Sheriff Mendoza detailed that when deputies conducted a welfare check on Wednesday and found the couple, gas and fire department crews were called to ensure there were no hazardous fumes that could harm officers during the search.
Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead along with their dog at home
(Image: Getty Images)
Gene, Betsy and one of their dogs were tragically found dead after a neighbour raised concerns. According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, police were called to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park at 1:45pm on Wednesday. US news station KOB 4 reported that the sheriffs office attended Hackman’s address following a call from a concerned neighbour who urged them to conduct a welfare check on the actor and his wife, as reported by People, reports the Mirror. A police statement shared with the PA news agency said: “On February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased. “Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time – however, exact cause of death has not been determined. This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.” While the exact cause of death remains undetermined, Sheriff Mendoza commented: “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” and reassured “I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”
Hackman received two Oscars, two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award in an acting career which spanned six decades
(Image: AP)
Hollywood legend Gene boasted a career spanning six decades, during which he received two Oscars, two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He bagged the best actor Oscar in 1972 for his unforgettable performance as Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection. He also scooped another Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 western Unforgiven. At just 16, Hackman left home to join the Marine Corps, serving from 1947 to 1952 as a field radio operator and later as a broadcast journalist. He then studied journalism and television production at the University of Illinois, but eventually switched gears to pursue acting. Hackman had a few TV and theatre roles before gaining recognition for his performance in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), alongside Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. His role in the film earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
