Police investigating the deaths of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have admitted to a mistake at the crime scene.
The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were discovered last Wednesday, February 27, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Initially, authorities believed no foul play was involved, but investigators have since stated that there is enough suspicion to justify a full investigation.
Further details have emerged since the discovery, with authorities still unable to explain the cause of death. Reports suggest that Hackman and Arakawa had been deceased for some time, with the MailOnline speculating that their bodies were “partially mummified.” One of the couple’s dogs was also found dead inside the home.
Hackman, 95, was found in a mudroom, while Arakawa’s body was discovered in the bathroom, near pills that Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza described as a “significant” piece of evidence.
In response to the tragedy, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, spoke to TMZ and shared that the family wasn’t sure about the cause of death but suspected carbon monoxide poisoning might have been a factor. “The house is fairly modern, built in 2000,” Elizabeth explained, “but we don’t know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were any recent service calls to the property.”
However, Santa Fe City Fire Department later ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, as no signs of it were found at the home. The New Mexico Gas Company also reported no issues after testing the gas line and surrounding area.
Sheriff Mendoza revealed on Friday, February 28, that Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its final heartbeat on February 17, making it “a very good assumption” that it marked the last day of his life.
A new update has now surfaced revealing a mistake in identifying the couple’s dog. Initially, police stated the deceased dog was a German Shepherd, leading many to believe it was their dog Bear. However, an animal chiropractor who had worked with the couple confirmed that Bear is alive. USA Today later reported that the dog found dead at the property was actually Zinna, a 12-year-old reddish Australian Kelpie mix.
Bear and the couple’s third dog, Nikita, have been taken to a local animal shelter. The Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society has confirmed they are now in their care.
In light of the confusion, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Denise Womack-Avila explained that investigators may have mistakenly identified the dog breed, stating, “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.”
Rest in peace, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.