Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe mansion, and the way they were discovered was shocking. Their bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition, partially mummified.
Now, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, is raising questions about what really happened, suspecting carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Two workers made the shocking discovery
Two maintenance workers, Roland Lowe Begay and Jesse Kesler, went to the mansion and found the couple dead. It was around 1:46 PM Mountain Time on a Wednesday. They hadn’t seen Gene and Betsy for two weeks, and when they found them, it was clear they had been gone for a while.
Betsy was found in the bathroom
Betsy’s body was on the bathroom floor. There were prescription pills scattered on the counter near her. Investigators haven’t confirmed what the pills were or who they belonged to. A space heater was also found next to her head, and police think it might have fallen.
Gene was found in another room
Gene was in the mudroom near the kitchen, fully dressed. His sunglasses were right next to him, which made it seem like he may have collapsed suddenly.
Hackman’s daughter suspects it was carbon monoxide
Elizabeth Hackman spoke out after the news broke, saying she believed toxic fumes could be to blame. She mentioned carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
The fate of the couple’s dogs adds to the mystery
The couple had three dogs. One, a German Shepherd, was found dead in a closet near Betsy. The other two were alive — one was close to Betsy’s body, and the other was roaming the house.
Authorities rule out foul play but keep investigating
Police said the front door was open, and there were no signs of forced entry. The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department stated there was no evidence of foul play, but the investigation is ongoing.
No gas leak detected
Firefighters checked the house and didn’t find any gas leaks. However, a gas company is assisting in the investigation to determine if carbon monoxide played a role.
Gene lived a quiet life after retiring
Gene was a two-time Oscar winner, best known for The French Connection and Unforgiven. He quit acting in 2004, moved to New Mexico, and kept a low profile. Occasionally, friends would share glimpses of his life, like photos from fishing trips or bike rides around Santa Fe.
He met Betsy in the ‘80s
Gene and Betsy met in the mid-1980s when she worked at a gym in California. They moved in together not long after and eventually settled in Santa Fe, away from Hollywood’s spotlight.
Their last public appearance was almost a year ago
The couple was last seen in public in March 2024, having dinner at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. Less than a year later, they were both gone, leaving behind many unanswered questions.
Gene Hackman’s most famous roles
Hackman spent over 40 years in Hollywood, taking on all kinds of roles — tough guys, villains, even some comedy. He played heroes, bad guys, and one unforgettable sports coach, keeping audiences hooked every time.
Here’s a list of notable Hackman films:
1961 — Mad Dog Coll (debut)
1967 — Bonnie and Clyde (Academy Award nomination, supporting actor)
1969 — The Gypsy Moths, Downhill Racer, I Never Sang for My Father (Academy nomination, supporting actor)
1971 — The French Connection (as Popeye Doyle, best actor Academy Award win)
1972 — The Poseidon Adventure
1978 — Superman (as Lex Luthor)
1986 — Hoosiers
1988 — Mississippi Burning (best actor Academy Award nomination)
1992 — Unforgiven (Academy Award win for supporting actor)
1993 — The Firm
1995 — Crimson Tide
1996 — The Birdcage
2000 — Under Suspicion, The Replacements
2001 — The Mexican, The Royal Tenenbaums
2003 — Runaway Jury
2004 — Welcome to Mooseport
Hollywood mourns the loss of a legend
Hackman was one of the greatest actors of his generation, with over 100 acting credits. He won two Oscars for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven.
His death comes just days before this year’s Academy Awards, marking the end of an era in Hollywood.
