Gene Hackman, the legendary actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, 2025. Known for their reclusive lifestyle, neighbors rarely interacted with the couple. James Everett, a part-time neighbor for five years, said, “They have a gate, and we have a gate, and we just have never even seen each other.” Bud Hamilton, a neighbor for 20 years, recalled dining with them only once.
Authorities are investigating the cause of death, with initial autopsies showing no external trauma or carbon monoxide poisoning. Hackman, 95, was found in a mudroom, while Arakawa, 65, was discovered in a bathroom near prescription medications. Hackman’s pacemaker data revealed it stopped functioning on February 17, indicating they had been dead for several days before being found.
Their secluded life has deepened the mystery, as neighbors had little contact with them. The investigation continues, leaving many questions unanswered about this tragic event.
