Gene Hackman’s wife was found mummified and bloated when the two were discovered dead with their dog in their multimillion-dollar New Mexico home — and the maintenance workers who initially discovered the quieted house said hadn’t seen the couple in about two weeks, police wrote in an affidavit.
Authorities said the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation” after finding the door to the couple’s home was “unsecured and opened” and an open orange prescription pill bottle and pills scattered around the room where Hackman’s wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and one of their German shepherd dogs were discovered.
Deputies noted that it appeared Arakawa had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet” when she was found on the floor of a bathroom near the home’s entry, according to the report.
The door into the couple’s $3.3 million Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, which sits on six acres and is over 8,000 square feet, was left ajar — but there was no sign of forced entry or theft, according to the report.
Authorities also noted in the report that a black space heater was found near Arakawa’s head. A responding officer said “he suspected the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground,” the affidavit said.
The couple’s deceased dog was located about 10 to 15 feet away from Arakawa inside the bathroom’s closet, deputies wrote in the report.
Meanwhile, Hackman’s body was located in what deputies believe was the mudroom near a pair of sunglasses. Officers wrote in the report that it appeared he had “suddenly fallen.”
Hackman’s body had “obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent,” police wrote in the report.
Deputies also noted two other “healthy” dogs located on the property, one inside the residence and one outside, according to the report.
Fire department officials who responded reported finding no signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, according to the report.
The cause of death for Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, will be determined by a medical examiner, officials said.
The star’s daughters and granddaughter said they were “devasted” by the loss — remembering him as “always just Dad and Grandpa.”
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss,” Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman said in a statement.
The New Mexico Gas Co. is working with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation, spokesperson Tim Korte told the Associated Press.
