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HEART-WRENCHING new detail has emerged spelling out how police officers came across the lifeless bodies of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, his wife and their pet dog.
Police discovered the Oscar winner, 95, at his $3.8million mansion on Wednesday afternoon when they uncovered the triple tragedy.
The alarm was sounded when neighbors called the cops to report concerns over the couple’s well-being, per ABC News.
It is believed to have taken 12 hours to identify the couple with their deaths only being confirmed on Thursday morning.
Mystery currently surrounds their shocking deaths as police say they suspect no foul play but are desperately awaiting a search warrant to scour the property.
The Santa Fe County sheriff said: “All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Adan Mendoza, the Santa Fe County sheriff said.
Cops discovered the tragic pair during a welfare check but have not revealed a cause of death, sharing heartbreaking new details about the tragedy.
It comes as…
“On February 26 2025 at approximately 1.45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a dog were found deceased,” a police statement said.
Police added the case had become an “active investigation” as they look to uncover what led to this tragedy.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza told The Santa Fe New Mexican: “I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone.”
The actor previously shared a haunting comment about his fear of death, saying it was the only thing that scared him.
Gene Hackman’s $3.8m hideaway where Hollywood star was found dead with wife
He told Empire in a 2009 interview: “I try to take care of myself. I don’t have a lot of fears. I have the normal fear of passing away.
“You know, I guess we all think about that, especially when you get to be a certain age. I want to make sure that my wife and my family are taken care of. Other than that, I don’t have a lot of fears.”
Gene was last pictured publicly in March 2024 gripping onto his wife’s arm as he used a cane to walk.
Despite the actor looking frail, The couple was seen on a dinner date at the Pappadeaux’s restaurant in Santa Fe.
The world-famous actor was also known to be an animal lover and adopted had German shepherds in 1999.
Gene selflessly adopted a stray dog that came onto his set while filming The Replacements in Baltimore alongside Keanu Reeves.
Gene was married twice, tying the knot with Faye Maltese in 1956.
The couple had three children – one son and two daughters.
They were married for three decades, divorcing in 1986.
He and classical pianist Betsy had been married since 1991.
INCREDIBLE CAREER
Gene’s breakout moment was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, where he played Buck Barrow.
He went on to star in Superman movies as well as hit films like Mississippi Burning, Unforgiven, Crimson Tide and The Poseidon Adventure.
In 1972, he scooped the Best Actor gong for his role as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection.
Gene won a second Academy Award in 1993 as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the western flick Unforgiven.
He played Little Bill Daggett in the film that also starred Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Anna Thomson.
Unforgiven scooped four Oscars, including Best Picture.
His glittering Hollywood career included more than 100 acting roles.
He received five Academy Award nominations, won two Oscars, bagged two BAFTA nominations and three Golden Globes.
!["Crimson Tide" Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman © 1995 Hollywood Pictures Photo by Richard Foreman (Mega Agency TagID: MEGAM1746_36547.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/MEGA_Gene_Hackman_19_Color_Action_Drama_Thriller_Film-Still_Nuclear-Missile-Submarine_Lieutenant.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES
Floods of messages from fellow Hollywood stars have poured in to remember the acting legend and his special career.
American actor George Takei said Gene’s work “will live on forever”.
Takei said: “We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it.
“He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That’s how powerful an actor he was.”
The great filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, remembered him as a “great actor”.
Coppola said: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.
“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Fellow Hollywood star Antonio Banderas also left a touching tribute this afternoon.
Banderas, who starred alongside Hackman in 1995 film Desperado, said on X: “A very sad day for the cinema’s family.
“My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers.”
You are not alone
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
For those in the UK please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
