Sheriff: Investigation under way after Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa found dead at Santa Fe home

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said on Feb. 27, 2025, that actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their home at 1425 Old Sunset Trail in Santa Fe County and that an investigation is ongoing.

Jennifer Labar Tapia, Santa Fe Film Commissioner, opened the briefing with remarks honoring the couple. "Our thoughts are with their loved ones and all who knew them and admired them," she said.

Sheriff Mendoza said deputies were dispatched at about 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2025, after a maintenance worker asked neighborhood security to conduct a welfare check. Security personnel saw the two adults unresponsive through a window and called 911. Law enforcement later gained access, secured the scene and notified the criminal investigations division.

Mendoza said investigators requested Santa Fe City fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company to test for carbon monoxide and "the scene was deemed safe." He said a search warrant was issued and executed the same night; items seized from the residence included two green cell phones, two prescription bottles, one over-the-counter bottle of Tylenol and a 2025 monthly planner calendar. Mendoza said two dogs observed at the home appeared healthy, while a German shepherd was found deceased.

"It should be noted there were no apparent signs of foul play," Mendoza said. He said both decedents were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator, where an autopsy was performed. Initial findings showed no external trauma; the manner and cause of death remain undetermined and toxicology results are pending.

Mendoza said investigators examined Mr. Hackman's pacemaker and learned its last recorded event occurred on Feb. 17, 2025, which the pathologist said was a relevant data point in building a timeline. The sheriff said investigators have the seized cell phones in their possession but have not yet been able to access their contents and may seek outside assistance if passwords prevent extraction.

When asked about medications found at the scene, Mendoza said he would not release prescription details because of HIPAA privacy protections. He also said there was no known surveillance video inside or outside the residence that would help establish a timeline.

Mendoza reiterated that the investigation is active and that officials are awaiting the full autopsy and toxicology reports before determining the official cause and manner of death. He said some tests were expedited by the pathologist but that toxicology results could take weeks to months.

The briefing combined official investigative details from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office with a civilian tribute from the Santa Fe Film Commissioner. Mendoza said investigators are working with family, neighborhood security and other parties to piece together the timeline of the events that led to the discovery of the two deaths.