Gene Hackman’s tragedy-stricken home unveiled after mysterious death and mummification

As a new aerial view of Gene Hackman’s estate is revealed by The Mirror, questions remain over his tragic passing and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

The Hollywood megastar, who won four Golden Globes, two Oscars, two BAFTAs, and four Golden Globes, and his wife, who is a classical pianist, were discovered dead in their Santa Fe residence on Wednesday afternoon. Two maintenance personnel located the couple and their beloved German Shepherd dog, who also passed away.

The mystery became more complicated when a subsequent investigation revealed no gas leaks, which was initially assumed to have caused the three of them to pass away. Authorities have described the incident as “suspicious,” but claim there are no obvious foul-play.

As investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing, the haunting images provide a rare glimpse into the now-disturbed private property.

In an interview with Architectural Digest back in 1990, Gene had previously revealed his picturesque Santa Fe home. He had built a house on 12 acres of hilltop land with a 360-degree view. Gene and his wife Betsy transformed the 1950s block building into a “part pueblo, part colonial New Mexico, part Spanish Baroque” property. Gene claimed in the interview that “it had a kind of magic in it.” It completely differs from my other homes, she said. The Montecito residence had a very formal atmosphere.

After missing the pair for weeks, maintenance workers Roland Lowe Begay and Jesse Kesler found Gene, 95, and Betsy, 63, dead at their home. One of the employees claimed they couldn’t enter the house during a 911 call. When questioned if the couple was breathing, they responded, “I have no idea. I’m not inside the house. It is finished. It is locked. I’m unable to enter. But the window reveals that she is lying down on the floor.

Read more about Gene Hackman’s tragic passing and wife Betsy Arakawa’s passing on the Mirror’s live blog HERE.

An open orange bottle of prescription medication was discovered scattered across a countertop, laying on the bathroom floor. What exactly were the pills? Her hands and feet were mushy, her face was bloated, and her hands and feet were mummified. Investigators are examining whether a space heater fell close to Betsy’s head.

In a mudroom close to the kitchen, Gene’s body was discovered in a similar state of decay. He had sunglasses lying beside him and was fully dressed, wearing only long-sleeved T-shirts, brown joggers, and a walking cane. This hints that he may have collapsed unexpectedly.

According to the report, police “found a pair of feet and legs on the ground close to the kitchen area,” which they identified as Gene. According to Deputy Thomas’ training and background, he believed the male victim had suddenly fallen.

A brown German Shepherd, one of their three dogs, was discovered lifeless, about 10 to 15 feet from Betsy’s body in a closet close to the bathroom. Initial reports incorrectly stated that the dog had passed away inside a kennel. The couple’s other two living dogs were unharmed. One was seen wandering around the property while the other was discovered close to Betsy’s remains.

No indications of forced entry were found at the front door, despite what the investigators observed. There is no immediate threat to anyone, according to Sheriff Adan Mendoza, who spoke to The Santa Fe New Mexican. There is “no indication of a struggle” or anything missing from the home, the sheriff told the media. He claimed that there was no evidence that a crime had occurred.

The official who requested the search warrant wrote in a statement to TMZ that he thought the death of the two deceased people “were suspicious enough to call for a thorough search and investigation.”

Deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, a healthy dog lying 10-15 feet away from the deceased female in a bathroom closet, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened, and the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak.

Since then, the actor and his late wife have been cleared of any external trauma. Hackman and Arakawa were taken to the Office of the Medical Investigator on February 27, 2025, according to a statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. A body examination was performed. No external trauma to either of the initial findings was noted.

Both individuals requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests, the article continued. Death occurred in a manner and a cause unknown. The toxicology and autopsy reports are still awaiting official results. There is still room for investigation. After the bodies were discovered, New Mexico Gas Company examined the gas lines in and around the home. A detective found no signs of poisoning in the bodies, but a detective did note that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide might not develop poisoning.

Leslie, 58, Gene’s daughter, claimed there was “no indication” that Gene had any problems before his death. She continued, “Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” before mentioning that her father had not undergone any major surgery in the previous few months. He continued to practice yoga and Pilates several times per week. He was therefore in good health.

It had taken her father, who had become distant in his later years of life, a “fifth month” to hear from him because she lived in California. We were close, he said. Although we hadn’t spoken for a while, Leslie said, “Everything was normal and everything was good.”

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Source: Mirror