Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa suffered ‘no external trauma’ — police

Hackman, 95, and wife Betsy, 65, were found dead, along with one of their dogs, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday, and police said there were no apparent signs of foul play

Actor Gene Hackman with wife Betsy Arakawa (AP)

US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa suffered “no external trauma”, preliminary findings from a medical investigation found.

Oscar-winning film star Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead, along with one of their dogs, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday, and police said there were no apparent signs of foul play.

A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said: “In the early hours of Thursday, February 27, 2025, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI).

“An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.”

The official results of the post-mortem examinations and toxicology reports are pending and the manner and cause of death have not yet been determined, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Two other dogs were found alive at the property, one inside and one outside.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told a press conference the pair had been “deceased for quite a while” but would leave further ruling to the OMI.

The alarm had been raised by a maintenance person doing pest control at the property, who was concerned because he had not seen the couple, police said.

New Mexico Gas Company tested gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, according to a search warrant, and while no signs of problems were found, a detective noted that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show signs of poisoning.

Carbon monoxide and other toxicology test results are pending.

Actor Gene Hackman waves as he starts out for a practice run in his Toyota Celica in 1983 (AP/Bob Self)

While there was no “immediate” evidence of foul play, detectives confirmed the investigation was in its “preliminary” stages.

“There was no indication of a struggle,” Sheriff Mendoza told the media.

“There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed that would be an indication that there was a crime that had occurred.”

In a 911 call, a maintenance worker said he was unable to get inside the house when asked if the people inside were breathing. 

“I have no idea,” he said. “I am not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked. I can’t go in. But I can see she’s laying down on the floor from the window.”

Hackman’s body was found in a mud room, and his wife was found next to a space heater in a bathroom, detectives said in the warrant.

Hackman’s daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter Annie, said they will miss the actor “sorely” and are “devastated by the loss”.

A statement to the PA news agency said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

Hackman and his wife, a classical pianist, married in 1991.