Investigation Launched After Legendary Actor Gene Hackman, His Wife Betsy Arakawa, & Their Dog Are Found Dead At Santa Fe Home

Heartbreaking news. An investigation has been launched into the sudden deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed to the Santa Fe New Mexican on Thursday morning that the 95-year-old star and 64-year-old classical pianist were found dead inside their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with their dog. According to NBC News, the county sheriff’s public information officer, Denise Womack-Avila, revealed in a statement that police were called to the residence at around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday. The sheriff’s office told KOB 4 a concerned neighbor asked law enforcement to perform a welfare check.

When cops arrived at the scene, Womack-Avila said that “Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased.” Their bodies were not formally identified until 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. So sad. At this time, it is unknown what happened to Gene, Betsy, and their dog. Womack-Avila stated that “foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time, however, the exact cause of death has not been determined.” The sheriff’s office also informed NBC News that there is “an active and ongoing investigation” into their deaths. Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth Jean Hackman told TMZ on Thursday that it is likely they suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.

For those who don’t know, Gene was an iconic actor starring in movies like Superman, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Bonnie and Clyde. He won two Academy Awards — Best Actor for his role as Jimmy Doyle in The French Connection in 1972 and Best Supporting Actor for portraying Sheriff Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven in 1993. When it comes to his personal life, he married Betsy in 1991. Gene also had three children with his first wife, Faye Maltese — 63-year-old Christopher Allen Hackman, 61-year-old Elizabeth, and 57-year-old Ann Hackman.

Our hearts go out to his loved ones. Reactions to this tragedy, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments.

[Image via WENN]