The deaths of Gene Hackman and his beloved wife Betsy Arakawa left an aching void in Hollywood, but what’s equally heartbreaking is the role their faithful dogs played in helping authorities find their bodies.
For decades, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa shared a quiet life together in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Away from the blinding spotlight of Hollywood, the legendary actor and his classical pianist wife built a home filled with love, music, and a lot of paws.
But, in late February, their story took a devastating turn when fate dealt them an unimaginable tragedy.
Final hours
On February 11, security cameras captured 65-year-old Arakawa running normal errands, and shopping at a CVS Pharmacy in Santa Fe. The woman – who would be dead in only a few short hours – quietly browsed the aisles with a mask covering her face. The face mask was likely a sign of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), the rare and deadly virus linked to rodent droppings that was already attacking her lungs.
In her final hours, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said she sent an email, picked up a few essentials, and stopped for groceries.
But there was one thing she missed.
Zinfandel
In late January, Zinna – short for Zinfandel, Hackman’s favorite wine – was picked up by Arakawa from the Gruda Veterinary Hospital after she “had major surgery.”
This, according to the owner, Robert Gruda, was the last time the staff saw Arakawa, who was a favorite at the clinic that had been treating her and Hackman’s dogs – Zinna, 12, 4-year-old Bear and Nikita, 7 – for several years.
“[Arakawa] was friendly, dutiful. That’s how we make a living, with owners that care for their animals and see us consistently,” Gruda told USA Today.
To help with Zinna’s recovery, Gruda said that Arakawa was advised to keep the Australian Kelpie mix in a crate until she was healed.
‘Devoted’ pet owner
Weeks later, on February 11, Arakawa was due to pick up prescription dog food and medication for her three dogs at the hospital.
But she never made it.
“She was devoted to those dogs,” said Gruda, who described Arakawa as a dedicated pet owner. “She was consistent, predictable. We knew something was wrong when she didn’t pick up the food on time…She was an excellent dog owner, excellent caretaker to those dogs. She really doted on them.”
And then on February 17, staff at the clinic called her cellphone, unaware that Arakawa the deadly hantavirus had crushed her lungs and killed her on the day she was meant to grab supplies for her dogs.
Zinna had no chance of survival – the precious dog was locked in a crate in the closet, less than 10 feet from her owner’s decomposing body.
Hackman’s death
The same day the pet hospital called looking for Arakawa, Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last heartbeat.
People reports that the Oscar-winning actor, 95, died from cardiovascular disease. He also had advanced Alzheimer’s disease, which officials said contributed to his death.
Tragically, he was alive and alone in the Santa Fe home until he died, unaware that his beloved wife had died days before.
‘Come over here’
Just before 2 p.m. on February 26, a maintenance worker visited the couple’s property and found the front door ajar. After looking through a window, he spotted Arakawa lying motionless on the floor and 9-1-1 was called.
When emergency officials arrived at the home, they were guided by an unexpected source – one of the healthy dogs who was initially found near Arakawa’s body.
After finding Gene Hackman’s wife, first responders spent the next 30 minutes combing the three structures on the sprawling property for signs of foul play, or for other bodies.
The only thing they continued to find was one of the couple’s dogs, who kept running up to paramedics, barking before dashing toward another part of the house.
At first, officials assumed the pup was simply looking for attention.
But then, they realized the faithful companion was trying to lead them somewhere.
“They realized (the dog) was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’” said Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya.
Following the dog’s determined cues, first responders were led to a mudroom at the far end of the home, next to the kitchen.
There, the devoted dog sat down – next to the decomposing body of the Hollywood legend, who lay crumpled on the floor, Moya explained.
According to reports, a back door had been left open, allowing the couple’s two German Shepherds – Bear and Nikita – to freely roam in and out of the house, keeping watch over their owners and little Zinna.
The Associated Press earlier reported that Bear and Nikita are now in the care of Joey Padilla, the owner of Santa Fe Tails pet care, the center the dogs were frequently boarded.
It was a gut-wrenching end to the life of a Hollywood icon and his devoted wife – but through it all, their loyal dogs never left their side.
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