Bodycam Footage: Deputies Discover Gene Hackman and Wife Dead in New Mexico Home

Discovery of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa

• 🚨 Deputies responded to a welfare check on February 26th at the Santa Fe-area home of actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65.
• 💔 Investigators believe Betsy Arakawa died on February 12th, and Gene Hackman later succumbed to severe heart disease.
• 🩺 Arakawa’s cause of death was confirmed as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Initial Scene Observations

• 🏠 Deputies noted an open door that seemed unusual, suggesting a possible attempt to go outside.
• 🐶 The presence of dogs was noted, including a German Shepherd mix and another described as husky-colored, with one appearing aggressive.
• 💨 A faint smell of gas was detected, prompting checks of appliances like the refrigerator.

Privacy and Last Contact

• 🤫 The couple was described as very private people, living a secluded lifestyle.
• 🗓️ The last known contact with Betsy Arakawa was approximately two and a half weeks prior to the discovery.
• 🌡️ Interior temperatures were noted to be warmer than the thermostat settings, with one reading at 74 degrees Fahrenheit.