Police ‘error’ in Gene Hackman death investigation complicates bizarre case

FILE PHOTOS: Actor Gene Hackman And Wife Betsy Arakawa Are Found Dead In Santa Fe Home March 29, 1993: Hollywood, CA, US: Gene Hackman and wife, Betsy Arakawa arrive at the Academy Awards. Hackman is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Unforgiven. (Credit Image: ?? Michael Ferguson/Globe Photos/ZUMA Wire) Featuring: Gene Hackman and wife, Betsy Arakawa Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 29 Mar 1993 Credit: ZUMA Press/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE UK**
A police error during the investigation into Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths has complicated the case (Picture: Michael Ferguson/Globe Photos/ZUMA Wire)

A police error during the investigation into Gene Hackman’s death has further complicated the case.

The legendary actor, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, 26 February.

In the days that followed, it was revealed officials found Hackman’s fully clothed body in the kitchen and classical pianist Arakawa’s in a bathroom, and that she had been dead ‘for some time’, as her body was in a state of decomposition and mummification.

It had also initially been reported that their deceased dog was discovered in a closet in the bathroom.

However, it has now been revealed officers misidentified one of their dogs.

Initial reports had stated that their German shepherd, Bear, was found dead in its crate in their home, but the pup was actually at a pet daycare centre in Santa Fe with their other dog Nikita.

FILE - Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
The bodies of the legendary actor and his classical pianist wife were discovered a week ago (Picture: AP)

According to USA Today, Bear was alive and healthy at the pet daycare facility, and the dog that had died at Hackman’s home was an Australian Kelpie mixed-breed called Zinna.

Her body was found in a closed crate and taken to facility Santa Fe Tails, according to the publication.

A friend of the couple, Sherry Gaber, told USA Today of her distress hearing the initial news about Bear.

‘I can’t handle that image,’ she said.

‘That’s why this whole thing is so distressing. It just doesn’t add up.’

**HOLD FOR EXLC** Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa with their two dogs, Maisie and Roscoe who was meeting the family for the first time in Phoenix, Arizona in 2007. The actor can be seen holding onto Maisie who was adopted from the same animal rescue Southwest German Shepherd Rescue in 2005.
The couple, pictured here with previous dogs in 2005, had owned several pets over the years (Picture: SW German Shepherd Rescue)

When told it was Zinna and not Bear who had been found dead in the home, she added: ‘My body’s just shaking right now. I’m grateful (it’s not Bear). It’s still a tragic story.’

There have been no further details on how the deceased dog was misidentified, but a spokeswoman from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said she hadn’t heard of the mistaken dog identity and that investigators may have just misidentified the breed.

She told the publication: ‘Our deputies do not deal with canines on a daily basis and I cannot currently speak to the condition or state of the dog’s body upon discovery.’

USA Today claims the misidentification of the dog could raise doubts about other aspects of the investigation into Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths.

This comes after investigators shared an update earlier this week, saying pills found at the scene of Hackman’s death are considered to be ‘of concern’.

(FILES) Actor Gene Hackman holds the Cecile B. DeMille Award at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards 19 January 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP PHOTO Hector MATA. Oscar-winning US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead inside their home in New Mexico, media outlets reported on February 27, 2025. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the couple were found dead the day before afternoon, adding that there was no immediate indication of foul play, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Variety and Sky News. (Photo by HECTOR MATA / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Hackman’s pacemaker registered its last event on February 17 (Picture: HECTOR MATA / AFP)
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Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told reporters: ‘We’re looking at [the pills] specifically, and other medications possibly in the residence.’

He stressed no conclusions had yet been reached about the pills playing a part in Hackman and his wife’s deaths, as investigators say it could take ‘weeks’ to determine the cause.

He said: ‘Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.

‘The manner and cause of death have not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.’

Authorities had also initially considered carbon monoxide poisoning but later ruled it out following an examination by the medical examiner.

It comes after it was revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker registered its last event on 17 February – nine days before his body was found.

Sheriff Mendoza said: ‘According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life.’

Metro has approached the Santa Fe County Sheriff Office for comment.

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