Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead in their home, with authorities stating that the couple had likely been deceased for some time prior to the discovery of their bodies. Further details have emerged that add to the mystery surrounding their deaths.
Following the news that the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are being ruled as “suspicious,” authorities have revealed that they mistakenly identified a deceased dog during their investigation. The couple’s German shepherd, named Bear, and a second dog named Nikita are alive, while their kelpie mix, Zinna, died, according to Joey Padilla, the owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility.
The deceased dog, Zinna, was always attached to Betsy and formed a beautiful bond with her. Authorities have been searching for answers ever since the death of Hackman and Arakawa, whose bodies were partially mummified when discovered on February 26 at their Santa Fe home. They may have died up to two weeks prior, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. No necropsy was performed on Zinna, who was found in a kennel in a bathroom closet near Arakawa. The sheriff’s office initially incorrectly identified the breed of the deceased dog.
Arakawa’s body was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom countertop, while Hackman’s remains were discovered in the entryway. Both bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide and no gas leaks were found in or around the home. The sheriff’s office conducted a more extensive inspection by the utility company, which discovered a small leak on a stove burner that could not have been lethal. Personal items, including a monthly planner and two cellphones, were retrieved from the home and will be analyzed. Medical investigators are still working to determine the cause of death, with toxicology reports expected in weeks. Morgan Freeman paid tribute to Hackman at the 97th Oscars ceremony, calling him a “giant” and a “dear friend.”
