
New details have emerged regarding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, after the couple was discovered in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, February 26.
According to a search warrant issued by Santa Fe police, the two had been deceased for quite some time before being found, with their bodies located in separate rooms.
Hackman’s body was discovered in a mudroom—a space typically used for storing shoes and outerwear—while Arakawa was found in a bathroom.
Near where Arakawa was located, officers noted an open prescription bottle with several pills scattered across the countertop.
Authorities have ruled out foul play but have not yet revealed the exact cause of their deaths.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico initially announced that an “active investigation” was underway regarding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife. Authorities confirmed that the couple was discovered at their home on Sunset Trail on Wednesday afternoon.
While the case remains open, officials stated that, at this point, there is no indication that foul play was involved.
Speaking with the Santa Fe New Mexican, Sheriff Adan Mendoza noted that investigators had not yet found any immediate signs of suspicious circumstances.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Mendoza explained.