Gene Hackman, the legendary two-time Oscar-winning actor, was found dead at 95 in his New Mexico home. Alongside him was his wife, 64-year-old classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, and one of their pet dogs.
They were found dead on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
An affidavit from an officer requesting a search warrant, obtained by PEOPLE, revealed that Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition when discovered.
She exhibited clear indicators of death, including bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet, the report stated.
The deputy noted that Hackman’s body also displayed similar signs of death, consistent with those found on Arakawa.
Mummification occurs when tissue dehydrates and shrinks, a process typically seen in dry, hot environments. In Arakawa’s case, only her hands and feet had undergone this process.
While artificial mummification—such as embalming—is used to preserve bodies, natural mummification, which can occur in specific environmental conditions, happens over time, typically requiring weeks or even months. Dry air, good ventilation, and high temperatures are key factors.
The affidavit from the search warrant noted that the deaths of both Hackman and Arakawa were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”
According to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, Hackman and Arakawa had been deceased for at least a day before their bodies were discovered by deputies.
Authorities have confirmed that an “active and ongoing investigation” is underway into the couple’s deaths.
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