Gene Hackman, wife and their dog found dead in their New Mexico home, authorities say

[CharlieH]

 

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead in their New Mexico home Wednesday, authorities said.

Foul play is not suspected, however authorities did not release any details of the circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation is ongoing.

 

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Avila said deputies responded to a request to do a welfare check at the home Wednesday around 1:45 pm local time and found Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and a dog dead.

 

Hackman, 95, was one of the industry's most respected and honored performers. His dozens of films included Oscar-winning roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven” and had a breakout performance in “Bonnie and Clyde.”

 

As reported by The Independent.

 

 

[scubascuba3]

At first i thought that's brave of them and well done for doing it, then it turns out she's only 63 plus a dog involved, someone decided we're all going together

[jerrymahoney]

Speculation is on carbon monoxide poisoning but that presumes there was some kind of gas hookup to the house.

[theblether]

4 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Speculation is on carbon monoxide poisoning but that presumes there was some kind of gas hookup to the house.

 

I hope that is the cause of death, so they can be mourned without darkness. 

 

I'm not one for worshipping actors, I think there's a limit as to how valuable pretending to be someone else is. But there's something about Gene Hackman's character as a man that showed through the celebrity. He's not alone in that - but he was a star of an actor and a star of a man. 

 

I hope it was a peaceful end, RIP. 

[ukrules]

17 minutes ago, theblether said:

I hope that is the cause of death, so they can be mourned without darkness. 

 

I always used to have a carbon monoxide alarm when living in a house that used gas.

[theblether]

51 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

I always used to have a carbon monoxide alarm when living in a house that used gas.

 

I have one too. Police are saying there's no suspicious circumstances. 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, jerrymahoney said:

Speculation is on carbon monoxide poisoning but that presumes there was some kind of gas hookup to the house.

Doesn't have to be gas. Coal heater (BBQ bricks) being used inside or a blocked chimney can do it.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, jerrymahoney said:

Speculation is on carbon monoxide poisoning but that presumes there was some kind of gas hookup to the house.

Agree.

 

The statement ‘no foul play’ would suggest an accident of some sort.

 

RIP to a great actor and his wife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tug]

RIP Gene you had a fine run and IMO a fine actor a kinda regular guy type we all aspire to be.My condolences to the bereaved and hope this occurrence plays out to be one of life’s unfortunate accidents.

[Harrisfan]

2 hours ago, theblether said:

 

I hope that is the cause of death, so they can be mourned without darkness. 

 

I'm not one for worshipping actors, I think there's a limit as to how valuable pretending to be someone else is. But there's something about Gene Hackman's character as a man that showed through the celebrity. He's not alone in that - but he was a star of an actor and a star of a man. 

 

I hope it was a peaceful end, RIP. 

Terrific actor. 

[Social Media]

UPDATE:

 

Death of Hackman and wife 'suspicious enough' for investigation, police say

 

 

The circumstances of their death were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation", said the search warrant, because the person who called emergency services found the front door of the property open. But nothing appeared out of place inside, according to the detective. There was no indication the home had been rummaged through, or that any items had been removed. Two other, healthy dogs were discovered roaming the property - one inside and one outside.

 

The local utility responded and found no sign of a gas leak in the area. The fire department detected no indication of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, according to the search warrant.

 

Near Ms Arakawa's head was a portable heater, which the detective determined could have been brought down in the event that she abruptly fell to the ground.  A prescription bottle and scattered pills were on the bathroom countertop close to her body. The couple's German Shepherd dog was found dead in a bathroom closet near to Ms Arakawa.

 

Hackman was discovered wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers. Sunglasses and a walking cane were next to the body. The detective suspected that the actor had fallen suddenly.

 

As reported in the BBC

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

8 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

I always used to have a carbon monoxide alarm when living in a house that used gas.

I'm selling my rental in Washington state, and Washington state law requires carbon monoxide alarms regardless of whether ir not gas is available to the dwelling.

[merck]

9 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Doesn't have to be gas. Coal heater (BBQ bricks) being used inside or a blocked chimney can do it.

Coal heater (BBQ bricks) produce toxic levels of carbon monoxide too under incomplete combustion and poorly ventilated spaces.

[blaze master]

Latest says the bodies were semi mummified. 

[dinsdale]

Bodies found in different rooms. CO ruled out. Pills found scattered. Seems suicide pact or murder suicide is top of the list.

[scubascuba3]

Certainly a mystery due to lack of info, apparently only 1 dog died another one or two there

[steven100]

Gene Hackman was a terrific actor, he played many great roles in movies, I watch one of his westerns a few weeks ago where he was the mafia sheriff of the town.  I consider him up there with the John Wayne's and Sean Connery as well as Anthony Hopkins. 

 

Sad ending by the sounds of it, suspicious circumstances.

 

 

RIP Gene Hackman,

a great actor. 2025.

[BritManToo]

11 hours ago, theblether said:

I have one too. Police are saying there's no suspicious circumstances. 

BBC says suspicious ........

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewkkkvkzn9o

 

"Authorities reported no signs of injury but deemed the deaths "suspicious enough" to investigate and have not ruled out foul play. No cause of death was given."

 

Front door was also found open.

[CharlieH]

UPDATE 

 

 

 

[Evil Penevil]

RIP Gene,  In his day,  he was one of the very best American actors. His portrayal of Popeye Doyle in The French Connection is one of the best performances in cinema history.  The "wave" scene is unforgettable.

 

The circumstances of the deaths iof Hackman, his wife and dog probably won't be known until the autopsy and toxicology reports are disclosed.  That usually takes four to six weeks in the U.S., but because of high public interest, the reports may get top priority and come sooner.

 

[tandor]

13 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

I always used to have a carbon monoxide alarm when living in a house that used gas.

i think he means deliberate..natural gas or gas bottles entirely different from CO1.

[roo860]

Met him at the 1980 Macau GP, had quite a long chat with him, lovely fella RIP.

[JonnyF]

Very sad. A great actor. RIP. 

 

The fact the dog died as well does suggest some kind of accident rather than a suicide pact. Let's hope it was a peaceful end.   

[fredwiggy]

Latest news says it looks like they both fell, and there were pills scattered across the floor. Possibly both took pills and succumbed in different locations. One dog was next to her body, alive, one was dead in closet, which could mean the dog ingested some pills and dogs do look to hide when they know they are sick. We all know he was a great actor but no one knows how people live and what they're going through in their private lives, so only an autopsy and more evidence will show what happened to them. RIP

[pacovl46]

14 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

At first i thought that's brave of them and well done for doing it, then it turns out she's only 63 plus a dog involved, someone decided we're all going together

Could be carbon monoxide poisoning as well. We'll just have to wait until the autopsy report.

[scubascuba3]

8 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

Could be carbon monoxide poisoning as well. We'll just have to wait until the autopsy report.

apart of the overdose part

[pacovl46]

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

apart of the overdose part

Haven't heard anything about an OD, yet. 

[scubascuba3]

6 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

Haven't heard anything about an OD, yet. 

Wife found OD in bathroom, loads of pills, Gene on the floor facedown elsewhere, who knows, take with a pinch of salt for now

[pacovl46]

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Wife found OD in bathroom, loads of pills, Gene on the floor facedown elsewhere, who knows, take with a pinch of salt for now

Ok. Sh!t!