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Gene Hackman was reportedly found deceased along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs at their residence in New Mexico. Authorities, who are still investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths, have released newly obtained bodycam footage that provides additional insight into the couple’s domestic arrangements. According to the footage, Hackman and Arakawa had been sleeping in separate rooms before their deaths.
This arrangement was apparently due to issues involving their dogs, who were said to have shown a strong dislike for Hackman. The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were discovered in separate areas of the house by the Santa Fe County Sheriff.
In the footage, a woman named Joey Padilla, who had arrived at the home to care for the couple’s surviving dogs, is seen speaking with detectives. She shared that Arakawa had been the primary caretaker for the pets and was known for her nurturing attitude toward them, while Hackman had little to no involvement in their care. According to Padilla, this lack of a bond between Hackman and the dogs led to the spouses sleeping in different rooms. She also stated that the dogs were known to behave aggressively toward Hackman.
Padilla explained that it was actually the behavior of the dogs that led authorities to the discovery of the bodies. Santa Fe Police Chief Brian Moya noted that one of the dogs appeared to be intentionally leading them, as if to indicate where help was needed.
One of the dogs, which was later found dead alongside the couple, is believed to have suffered from prolonged starvation. This dog was reportedly discovered lying beside Arakawa’s remains, which were in a mummified state.
At the time of death, Gene Hackman was 95 years old, and Betsy Arakawa was 64.