Authorities have confirmed that dehydration and starvation were likely the causes behind the death of a dog found alongside Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe residence. An autopsy report details severe decomposition and partial mummification, shedding light on the tragic circumstances inside the couple’s home.
Dehydration and Starvation Cited as Causes for Dog’s Death
A report from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s veterinary lab obtained by The Associated Press states that Zinnia, the kelpie mix found inside a bathroom closet, exhibited signs of extreme malnourishment. The report highlights that the dog’s stomach was largely empty, aside from minor traces of bile and hair, suggesting it had gone without food for a prolonged period.
The dog’s body was partially mummified, a condition influenced by Santa Fe’s arid climate at an elevation of 7,200 feet. Despite the advanced state of decomposition, no evidence of poisoning, trauma, or infectious disease was found, ruling out external causes.
The Timeline of a Tragic Discovery
Authorities confirmed last week that Hackman, 94, succumbed to heart disease exacerbated by complications from Alzheimer’s. His wife, Arakawa, had died days earlier from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a rare and often fatal virus carried by rodents.
Investigators believe Hackman, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, remained unaware of his wife’s passing. He was found near the home’s entryway, while Arakawa’s body was located in a bathroom. Their remains, like Zinnia’s, were significantly decomposed, reflecting the conditions inside the house during the days following their deaths.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has yet to close its investigation. Officials are analyzing cellphones retrieved from the home to establish a clearer timeline of the couple’s final days. “The case is considered active until we have that information to tie up the timeline,” said spokesperson Denise Womack Avila.
A Loyal Companion Lost, Two Dogs Survive
Zinnia had a storied past, transitioning from a returned shelter dog to an unwavering companion for Arakawa. “She was always by her side,” said Joey Padilla, the owner of Santa Fe Tails pet care facility, which is now caring for the couple’s surviving dogs.
Unlike Zinnia, two other dogs managed to survive the ordeal. It remains unclear whether they had access to food and water or were found in better conditions than the kelpie mix.
Hackman and Arakawa’s Life in Santa Fe
Hackman and Arakawa led a secluded life in Santa Fe, having moved there decades ago. Arakawa, originally from Hawaii, was a concert pianist who studied at the University of Southern California. She met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym. The two shared a quiet life away from Hollywood’s glare, valuing their privacy above all else.
A two-time Academy Award winner, Hackman’s career spanned several decades, with memorable performances in “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” and “Superman.” After retiring from acting in the early 2000s, he focused on writing and living a low-profile life.
Now, the couple’s estate representatives are working to keep investigative reports, autopsy findings, and any related photographs or video from becoming public. The final decision will rest with a state district judge, who will weigh their request against public records laws.
Questions Remain as Investigation Continues
While officials have ruled both Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths as natural, law enforcement continues to examine the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. The role of Alzheimer’s in Hackman’s awareness and ability to respond to his wife’s condition is a focal point in understanding the timeline.
As the investigation nears its conclusion, many are left contemplating the heartbreaking nature of the couple’s final days—particularly Hackman’s likely confusion and isolation after Arakawa’s passing.
