Authorities are sharing their findings following the shocking deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa.
The two-time Oscar winner and his wife were found deceased in their home on February 27, sparking an investigation into what happened. He was 95 years old and she was 63. When police searched their home, they also discovered that one of the couple’s three dogs had also passed away.
During a press conference on Friday (March 7), authorities shared Gene and Betsy‘s causes of death. They also shared the dog’s probable cause of death.
Keep reading to find out more…It is believed that Betsy died first on February 11 from died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is “rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to more severe disease.”
Investigators also believe that Gene died a week later on February 18 after his after his pacemaker recorded an “abnormal atrial fibrillation” or an abnormal heart rhythm.
While an official cause of death for their 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix named Zinna – who was found in a crate near Betsy‘s body – has not been confirmed, New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps believes the dog died of dehydration and starvation.
“Given the timelines presented, it is a possibility,” the vet shared, via the New York Post.
According to authorities, Zinna also underwent an unspecified medical treatment prior to Gene and Betsy‘s deaths.
“We know from our investigation that on February 9, 2025, she picked up Zinna from Gruda Veterinary Hospital,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared at the press conference. “There was a procedure that was done with the dog, which may explain why the dog was in a crate at the residence.”
The couple’s two other dogs, German Shepards named Bear and Nikita, were both found alive on the property. Zinna‘s death remains under investigation.
Gene‘s family recently released a statement reacting to their shocking deaths.
