Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Dog Zinna Likely Died from Dehydration and Starvation

A week following the determination of causes of death for both Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, the postmortem findings on their pet dog, Zinna, have now been disclosed.

At the residence shared by Arakawa and his partner, an Australian Kelpie mix was found dead inside a sealed crate. The cause of death, as indicated in a report from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture acquired by NBC News, appears to have been either severe dehydration or starvation.

According to the veterinary pathologist’s report, the stomach contained only minimal quantities of hair and bile, while the large intestine held small amounts of thick, green, pasty feces predominantly made up of hair.

Despite showing advanced signs of postmortem decay and some mummification, Zinna, one of Hackman and Arakawa’s three dogs, didn’t appear to have died from an infectious disease or any traumatic injury, according to the investigation’s findings.

Based on the pathologist’s findings, it appears that the dog probably passed away due to lack of either water or food, more likely caused by dehydration or starvation.

It has been previously stated by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza that Arakawa took Zinna to a local veterinary clinic in search of medical care before her passing. This was the reason behind Zinna being at a kennel.

At a March 7 press conference, he stated that on February 9, 2025, it was found during our investigation that she retrieved Zinna from Gruda Veterinary Hospital. It appears that the dog underwent a treatment there, which could be the reason why the dog was kept in a crate at her residence.

According to Zinna’s autopsy findings, it was revealed that she had previously undergone a surgical procedure. A pathologist observed that her spleen was missing and stitched scars were present in her small intestine. Unfortunately, due to extensive tissue deterioration, the pathologist was unable to ascertain the purpose of the surgery.

65-year-old Arakawa passed away due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a severe lung disease spread through rodent droppings, as confirmed by authorities. Her last known appearance was around February 11, captured in surveillance footage.

It has been confirmed that Hackman died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease significantly contributing to his demise. The investigators believe he passed away around February 18, likely due to the data recorded on his pacemaker.

In a statement, New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell expressed that, given Hackman’s advanced stage of Alzheimer’s, it was entirely plausible that he was not cognizant of his environment. This implies that Hackman may have been unaware that Arakawa had passed away in their shared home or that Zinna was confined in a cage.

For more on the investigation into Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths, keep reading.

On February 26, Gene Hackman and his wife of 33 years, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico residence. Two maintenance workers spotted them through a window from outside the property and notified the community caretaker who then dialed 911 after being alerted to the situation.

The caller informed 911, as heard on a recording, that “they aren’t going anywhere.” They kindly requested for help to be dispatched quickly.

Upon the arrival of Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputies at my residence, I, in a state of distress, was discovered lying on the bathroom floor to the left of the front door. Clad in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, as per the account detailed in a February 27 search warrant affidavit acquired by TopMob News, an open prescription pill bottle and scattered pills on the countertop were evident.

95-year-old Hackman was found lying in an area resembling a mudroom close to the kitchen, according to deputies’ accounts. Near his body were a walking cane and a pair of sunglasses.

Among the three family dogs, one that appeared to be their German Shepherd, Bear, was later identified as their Australian Kelpie mix named Zinna – she was discovered deceased in a bathroom closet, as stated in the search warrant. Another dog, seemingly in good health, was found near Arakawa’s body, while the third dog, also in apparent good health, was seen roaming outside.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on February 26th, a search warrant was carried out at the house. The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were taken away the next morning.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but delve deeper into the intriguing statement made by the authorities on February 27th, suggesting no signs of foul play initially. However, upon closer examination, it was the investigators’ discerning eyes that perceived the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these two individuals to be suspicious enough to warrant an exhaustive search and comprehensive investigation. The warrant itself echoes this sense of mystery and intrigue, urging us all to stay tuned for further revelations.

According to the warrant, there were no clear indications of blunt-force injury, carbon monoxide exposure, or evidence of forcible entry into the house. Instead, deputies mentioned that the front door was slightly open.

Additionally, it appeared that Hackman and Arakawa had been deceased for some time. One officer noted that her body exhibited partial decomposition, with mummification occurring around her hands and feet, as stated in the warrant. Similarly, Hackman’s body showed signs consistent with death. Furthermore, both bodies seemed to suggest an abrupt fall to the ground.

According to the search warrant, the worker who initially discovered the bodies reported that his last conversation with the couple occurred around two weeks prior. Typically, he interacted with Arakawa via phone calls or text messages.

Speaking as a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: “Currently, we find ourselves engaged in an initial inquiry regarding a potential loss of life, as shared by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. To alleviate any concerns within the community and neighboring areas, I want to emphasize that there’s no immediate threat to anyone’s safety at this time.

During the search, as stated in the warrant summary, investigators took away two mobile phones, medications for blood pressure and thyroid, Tylenol, personal medical records, and a 2025 planner among other items.

At a news conference held on February 28, Sheriff Mendoza stated that Hackman’s pacemaker’s last activity was logged on February 17, suggesting it is a strong presumption that this was the day he passed away.

Mendoza explained that they were examining various information like call logs, texts, pictures, and phone activities on the devices, with the aim of constructing a sequence of events.

But it wasn’t going to be easy.

In my fervent excitement, I can hardly contain myself as I recall the Sheriff’s words on TODAY: “We grasp the complexity of their private nature; they were intensely personal individuals and their family was secluded. At this moment, we are meticulously piecing together all the details.

In simpler terms, “With deep sorrow, we share that our beloved father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy, have passed away. This sad news was conveyed by Gene’s daughters, Leslie and Elizabeth, along with his granddaughter, Annie, in a statement. To us, he wasn’t just an acclaimed actor adored globally, but simply Dad and Grandpa. We will deeply miss him, and the pain of his loss is unbearable.

As one of the three children actor Leslie Anne Allen shared with his first wife Faye Maltese, I myself have not had the chance to see him for a few years due to our different locations – I reside in California, while he seldom travels extensively now. However, we’ve managed to reconnect over the past couple of months through various means of communication.

1) She expressed deep affection for him, stating that he was truly kind-hearted. Moreover, Leslie confirmed that his health was excellent as he diligently practiced yoga and Pilates frequently.

2) She admitted to having a great deal of fondness for him because he possessed an exceptionally good nature. It’s also worth noting that Leslie was aware of his regular routine of doing yoga and Pilates, which kept him in excellent physical condition.

3) She made it clear that she held him dear, attributing his character to being genuinely kind-hearted. Furthermore, Leslie affirmed that he maintained his health by regularly engaging in yoga and Pilates workouts.

4) With genuine emotion, she declared her deep affection for him, emphasizing the kindness within his heart. Leslie also shared that he prioritized his health through frequent practice of yoga and Pilates exercises.

5) In expressing her love, she confirmed that he was a truly compassionate individual. Additionally, Leslie stated that he took care of his body by practicing yoga and Pilates on a regular basis.

Over time, relatives expressed their attempts to ignore speculation regarding potential events, as they patiently anticipated formal clarification.

Tim Hackman, nephew of the late actor and brother of Richard Hackman, shared with Us Weekly in an interview published on March 3 that they are awaiting the results of a toxicology report. This will provide crucial information as it helps determine the cause of death. It’s challenging to entertain theories at this point, as there are many circulating. Tim emphasized his reluctance to speculate, stating that it’s all too easy to form negative theories without solid evidence.

He commented, “At 95, my uncle was reaching an age when one often considers, ‘Perhaps it’s time.’ However, recent events have caused quite a shift in those plans. It’s a significant turn of events.

Since the late 1980s, Hackman, who last appeared in a movie in 2004’s “Welcome to Mooseport,” has been residing in Santa Fe with Arakawa. As an artist himself, he was deeply involved in the local arts community and served on the board of the Georgia O’Keefe Museum from 1997 until 2004.

Stuart Ashman, a longtime friend and gallery owner, shared with the Los Angeles Times that he was an ordinary person despite being privy to fascinating tales about Hollywood and other celebrities. In essence, he was just like any other man.

Jennifer LaBar-Tapia, the film commissioner of Santa Fe, shared with reporters that both Hackman and Arakawa have strong connections to the heart of Santa Fe.

However, it’s been quite uncommon to see Hackman lately, especially post the COVID-19 outbreak. Daniel Lenihan shared with People that the actor, who was once a regular in their neighborhood, walking his dogs, cycling, and frequenting local businesses, has been mostly confined at home recently. Aaron Lenihan mentioned that Arakawa is making efforts to keep him active, engaged, and healthy, but Daniel expressed concern, stating Hackman seems to be deteriorating.

According to Daniel’s spouse, Barbara Lenihan, the renowned classical pianist, Arakawa, was in “outstanding health” and possessed an impressive level of physical fitness.

In March 2024, Page Six published the latest photograph of Hackman and Arakawa, who appeared to be in a weakened state, taken in public.

As an ardent admirer, I eagerly awaited the test results regarding any signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies. Sheriff Mendoza shared this information with reporters on Feb 28th. However, he made it clear that while the initial tests were negative, we might have to wait up to three months or even longer for the complete autopsy and toxicology results. The suspense is killing me!

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I’d rephrase it like this: On March 4th, the New Mexico Gas Company announced that a tiny leak was discovered in one of my beloved stove burners. Fortunately, this leak didn’t emit enough carbon monoxide to be deadly, and their thorough investigation failed to uncover any additional leaks or gas line problems.

Investigators found multiple building code infractions in the house, yet none related to gas or carbon monoxide issues.

According to the New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, Arakawa passed away due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome – a seldom-encountered lung disease that arises from contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. This information was shared during a news conference on March 7th.

In the meantime, as reported by Jarrell, Hackman appeared to be suffering from severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease. His overall health was deteriorating, with serious heart issues being a major concern. It seems that these complications eventually led to his unfortunate passing.

Arakawa may have experienced flu-like symptoms before she died, the medical examiner said.

Erin Phipps, a vet specializing in public health from New Mexico’s state department, mentioned that the couple’s house presented minimal risk for exposure, yet there were indications of rodent presence in other buildings on their property.

Over a span of nearly three decades, from 1993 to 2022, health authorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have documented 122 instances and 52 fatalities related to hantavirus in New Mexico.

Based on the coroner’s findings, it appears that Arakawa, who was last seen alive on February 11, had already passed away approximately a week before Hackman’s death, which seems to have occurred around February 18, according to his last recorded pacemaker activity. The original authorities’ report had initially noted Hackman’s death on a different day.

Their bodies weren’t discovered for another eight days, so 15 days after Arakawa died.

According to what authorities have learned so far, Hackman remained in the house with his wife’s body until he subsequently passed away on his own.

Jarrell mentioned, “There’s a good chance he didn’t know she had passed away.” As for Hackman, it was found that he hadn’t eaten before his death, but he wasn’t suffering from dehydration either.

According to state vet Phipps, it was discovered that their pet dog Zinna had tragically passed away due to lack of food and water, as she was confined inside a bathroom crate.

As an overly enthusiastic fan, I’m sharing this intriguing tidbit: On March 7th, Sheriff Mendoza mentioned that, from what we know so far, it seems there was no one serving as a caretaker at the residence in question.

For quite some time, Arakawa had been taking care of her husband’s daily life, arranging his golf matches and social outings with friends, as reported by friend Tom Allin. He shared this information with the New York Times, stating that while he has known Hackman for two decades, it was always Mrs. Hackawan who he conversed with over the phone.

According to Allin, she always took great care to safeguard him. In fact, he might not be alive today without her constant vigilance.

According to his friend Ashman, it seemed only natural that those of us who knew him should have been keeping tabs on him. I had no inkling…It’s truly heartbreaking. And the fact that she passed away a week prior just adds to the sorrow. Oh my goodness.

On what seems to have been her final day alive, Arakawa sent an email to her masseuse in the morning hours, then visited a supermarket in the afternoon, dropping by a pharmacy en route to a pet store. Authorities claim she returned home around 5:15 p.m., and after February 11th, she didn’t respond to any emails.

As an ardent admirer, I’d put it this way: I’ve heard the sheriff mention that she often dons a mask when stepping out for daily tasks, a practice her companions affirm, as she’s deeply concerned about shielding her loved ones from any potential health threats.

2025-03-15 04:50

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Dog Zinna Likely Died from Dehydration and Starvation

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