Authorities have released a detailed investigation report shedding light on the final days of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, revealing a tragic sequence of events that culminated in their deaths earlier this year.
Arakawa, 65, died in February from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly disease transmitted by rodents. Hackman, 95, passed away roughly a week later from heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s. Their bodies were discovered on 26 February in their secluded Santa Fe home, after staff members raised concerns.
Medical Searches and Missed Calls
The newly released documents detail Arakawa’s desperate search for medical answers. Between 8 and 12 February, investigators say she conducted several internet searches related to COVID-19, flu symptoms, dizziness, and nosebleeds—common symptoms of hantavirus.
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In a 11 February email to her massage therapist, Arakawa shared that Hackman had developed cold or flu-like symptoms, though a COVID-19 test had come back negative. She cancelled her session “out of an abundance of caution.”
Later that day, she visited a local store—captured on security cameras—and the next morning, she looked up a concierge medical service in Santa Fe. Phone records show she spoke briefly with the provider, but missed a follow-up call later that day.
Inside the Hackman Residence
Police bodycam footage released as part of the court-ordered public disclosure offers a haunting look into the couple’s home. Officers discovered Arakawa’s body in a bathroom, one of the couple’s dogs nearby. Hackman was found in another part of the house.
“Two totally separate areas of the house,” one officer noted in the footage. “Mhm, it’s strange,” another replied.
Worried about a possible gas leak, officers aired out the house, though subsequent testing showed no signs of dangerous fumes. Their search revealed a well-kept home: rooms tidy, artwork still hanging, no sign of forced entry. Investigators also documented the presence of cash and prescription medications on the bathroom counter.
The footage, photos, and documents—redacted in accordance with a court ruling—were previously restricted but have now been made public following a legal challenge brought by media outlets including the Associated Press and CBS News. The court allowed the release provided that any depictions of the deceased were obscured to protect the family’s privacy.
Hantavirus: A Rare But Lethal Disease
The New Mexico Department of Health’s environmental assessment revealed rodent droppings in several outbuildings on the property, though the home’s interior was reportedly clean and free of rodent activity. Hantavirus, while rare, is known to be prevalent in rural parts of New Mexico and is spread through the inhalation of aerosolized virus from rodent urine or droppings.
The Hackmans’ home, nestled among Santa Fe’s juniper and piñon-covered hills, fits the profile of properties vulnerable to such exposure. While the source of Arakawa’s infection has not been definitively confirmed, the outdoor structures on the estate are likely culprits.
Tragedy Extends to Family Pets
Of the couple’s three dogs, one was found deceased in a bathroom closet, its death attributed to dehydration and starvation. Two other dogs were found alive, though details about their condition have not been disclosed.
Authorities believe that after Arakawa’s death, Hackman—battling Alzheimer’s and physically frail—was unable to care for himself or the animals.
A Life of Privacy, Even in Death
The Hackmans were known for their fiercely private lifestyle. Since retiring from acting in the early 2000s, Gene Hackman had largely stayed out of the public eye, living quietly in New Mexico with Arakawa, a former classical pianist and his longtime companion.
During a recent court hearing, the family’s attorney, Kurt Sommer, argued against the release of investigative records, citing the couple’s longstanding desire for privacy. He maintained that their estate had the right to control their posthumous image and likeness.
“The Hackmans chose to live away from the limelight,” Sommer said. “That choice should be respected in death as it was in life.”
The court ultimately sided with media organizations but imposed strict guidelines, ensuring that no images of the deceased would be released without redaction.
Legacy and Reflection
Gene Hackman’s death marks the end of an era in Hollywood. The Oscar-winning actor was known for iconic performances in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Tributes have poured in from across the industry, remembering him as a titan of the screen and a quiet presence in retirement.
Betsy Arakawa, remembered by friends and neighbors as a gentle, intellectual presence, had dedicated herself to the arts and charitable causes. The couple’s passing has left a profound mark on the Santa Fe community, where they were respected but largely kept to themselves.
Though their final days were marked by isolation and tragedy, the release of these new details paints a picture of a devoted couple who remained together until the very end—united in life and in death.
