Gene Hackman settled into a tranquil life in Santa Fe and lived out his senior years away from the spotlight. With miles of open space surrounding it, the huge house he painstakingly renovated became his haven. Originally intended to be a tranquil retreat, a sombre finding has led to an investigation into it.
Along with one of their pets, the Hollywood icon and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered dead inside their remote home. For years, they had resided there, preferring seclusion to attention. However, the house that once offered comfort is now the focus of a continuing investigation. One picture provides a unique look into the location where they spent their last days while investigators look for explanations.
A maintenance worker showed up at Hackman’s house on the afternoon of February 26, 2025, to perform standard tasks. He saw the front door was open as he got closer to the residence. He observed a woman on the floor, laying still, through a window. He contacted 911 right away as he couldn’t get inside. Authorities discovered Arakawa, 63, in the lavatory and Hackman, 95, in the foyer. A cane rested near Hackman’s body, while a space heater was positioned next to Arakawa’s head.
Two dogs were found alive, one inside the house and one outside, while a German shepherd was found dead inside a closet cage. Investigators found no evidence of theft, struggle, or forced entry. “There was no indication of a struggle,” Sheriff Adan Mendoza subsequently confirmed. Nothing that would have suggested a crime had been committed was gone or disturbed from the house.
The Fire Department ruled out poisoning as the immediate cause after testing for carbon monoxide, and the New Mexico Gas Company inspected the area and found no leaks. Authorities have not ruled out any possibility in spite of these observations. Investigators are still awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology tests to ascertain what happened inside the Santa Fe home.
Santa Fe served as a haven for Hackman. He left acting without any fanfare or public statements in 2004, at the age of 74, after a five-decade career. His choice was motivated by his health more than a lack of passion. He then disclosed that a stress test in New York had marked a sea change, with medical professionals instructing him to prevent excessive cardiac strain. He never went back to acting because he took their warnings seriously. He chose to live a life away from Hollywood, working on his house and writing novels during the day.
Hackman’s 12-acre Santa Fe property was the result of his own idea. He bought the house and did a lot of modifications since he was drawn to the area after making a number of films there. Before the renovation, architect Stephen Samuelson remembered it as ‘a 1950s block building that had remained idle and degraded’. In contrast to conventional adobe styles, Hackman and Arakawa envisioned a more open design that included French doors, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light.
They reorganised the interior to create a more spacious arrangement and removed 90% of the roof to accomplish this change. The finished design combined Spanish Baroque, colonial New Mexico, and Pueblo elements. Every aspect was meticulously managed by Hackman, who mixed his own paint colours and chose finishes. He continued to be actively involved in the upkeep and renovation of the house even after he retired.
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Hackman was committed to making his house ideal, but he wasn’t the only one who influenced their Santa Fe lifestyle. Arakawa actively participated, advancing his idea while making sure their private lives stayed that way. Arakawa worked part-time at a fitness centre where the two initially met in the early 1980s. Hackman was still wed to his first wife, Faye Maltese, at the time, but their union was coming to an end. Before his divorce was finalised in 1986, Arakawa moved into his Santa Fe home after he and her started dating in 1984. After being married in 1991, they stayed together for more than thirty years.
Hackman stayed close to his three children from his first marriage, Christopher Allen, Elizabeth Jean, and Leslie Anne, even though he and Arakawa never had children together. The pair put their privacy first and concentrated on living their lives together away from the limelight of Hollywood. Arakawa was crucial in overseeing their household tasks and preserving their isolated way of life.
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Hackman left behind a substantial literary and cinematic legacy despite his absence from public life. Known for his ability to make complicated characters come to life, he was one of the most admired actors of his generation. After making his breakthrough in 1967 with “Bonnie and Clyde,” he went on to play well-regarded parts in films like “Superman” and “Hoosiers.” In addition to four Golden Globes, he received two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for “Unforgiven” (1992) and Best Actor for “The French Connection” (1971).
In the 2004 movie “Welcome to Mooseport,” he made his last appearance in Hollywood. He starred in over 90 films and television shows during his decades-long career. After retiring, he wrote a number of novels, including thrillers and historical fiction, pursuing his second interest.
Reclusive Gene Hackman, 93, looks fit in first sighting in years https://t.co/ND1HPPJKgx pic.twitter.com/q6HjE1S9LW
— New York Post (@nypost) March 7, 2023
The mystery surrounding Hackman was only increased by his infrequent public appearances in his later years. He and Arakawa were spotted together in March 2024, which is when his last recorded sighting occurred. Wearing a grey vest and a plaid button-down shirt, he supported himself with a cane while she helped him. When fans saw him after all these years, they were both shocked and awed.
People’s responses varied from incredulity—”That doesn’t look like him at all”—to thankfulness—”Thank goodness he’s still alive.” Others praised his tenacity, pointing out that he was still mobile and self-sufficient at the age of 94. While some remarks addressed the ageing process, others considered his contributions to storytelling and film.
@nypost GeneHackman, 93, looks fit in first sighting in years
Fans are now left to consider both his illustrious career and the peaceful life he led after leaving Hollywood in the wake of his untimely death. His influence on screen and in the lives of those who respected him is still evident as detectives try to uncover what transpired inside his Santa Fe house.