Law enforcement officials confirmed that an investigation is underway after Gene Hackman, a legendary Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead on Wednesday alongside their dog in their home, which is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
According to NBC News, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Thursday that an investigation is currently underway regarding the deaths of the iconic actor and his wife. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet that the investigation was “active and ongoing.”
“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time however exact cause of death has not been determined,” the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office added.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office also provided a statement to Fox News regarding the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa. Law enforcement officials said, “On February 26, 2025 at approximately 1:45 p.m., 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.”
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The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told an NBC affiliate that the sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Hackman’s residence after a neighbor contacted police officials and requested a welfare check at the Oscar-winning actor’s residence.
According to Fox News, Hackman won Oscars for his performances in “Unforgiven” and “The French Connection” and was featured in dozens of movies from the 1960s until the early 2000s.
Following Hackman’s death, Francis Ford Coppola, who directed one of the films Hackman starred in, released a statement on Instagram, saying, “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Actor George Takei, known for his role in “Star Trek,” also released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, claiming that the world “lost one of the true giants of the screen” on Wednesday.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it,” Takei tweeted. “He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.
