One Of Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy’s Dogs Helped First Responders Find His Body - Heartbreaking New Details!

The surviving dogs of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were there for them until the very end.

Last month, the 95-year-old actor, the 64-year-old classical pianist, and their 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix Zinna were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There were a lot of questions about how the three passed away, with his children wondering if carbon monoxide poisoning had been the cause. As the investigation continued, though, police soon learned that was not the case.

Instead, what happened is something no one expected. Betsy died from a rare virus known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is typically transmitted by rodents, on February 11. The Superman star died of severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and advanced Alzheimer’s disease a week later — and most likely had no idea his wife had passed away. So, so sad. Meanwhile, Zinna died while locked in a crate. The other two pups, Bear and Nikita, were still alive and helped first responders find Gene, according to USA Today on Sunday.

Fire Chief Brian Moya revealed to the outlet that paramedics with the Santa Fe Fire Department went inside the home through the front door and immediately spotted Betsy lying on the bathroom floor. However, they could not find Gene. Paramedics searched for 30 minutes and couldn’t see anyone else inside. Moya said that during the search, one of the surviving dogs kept running up to them and barking before running away in a different direction. At first, first responders thought the dog wanted to play. But they then realized the pooch actually wanted them to follow. Moya recalled:

“They realized (the dog) was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’”

The dog then led the paramedics to a mudroom at the back of the home, next to the kitchen. That is when they discovered the body of Gene on the floor with sunglasses and a cane nearby. Wow. Dogs truly are man’s best friend.

Moya said his hands were blackened, showing signs of decomposition. The back door was open, allowing the dogs to go in and out of the house freely. Sadly, Zinna — named after Gene’s favorite wine, Zinfandel — was unable to do the same. As we mentioned, she was locked in a crate and died.

Robert Gruda, owner of the Gruda Veterinary Hospital, told USA Today she had been on crate rest while recovering from a “major surgery” in January. Staff members at the hospital became concerned after Betsy never came to pick up specialized dog food and medication for Zinna on February 11. Gruda said:

“She was devoted to those dogs. She was consistent, predictable. We knew something was wrong when she didn’t pick up the food on time. She was an excellent dog owner, excellent caretaker to those dogs. She really doted on them.”

Unbeknownst to Gruda and hospital staff, she had died that day. Absolutely heartbreaking…

Betsy and Gene’s dogs have been taken to a local pet daycare facility. Hopefully, they are receiving so much love and can find a new home together one day following the deaths of their owners. Reactions to the new details, Perezcious readers? Let us know.

[Image via WENN , Oscars/YouTube]