Gene Hackman's dogs helped authorities locate his body
=====================================================

Gene Hackman died from heart disease while his wife Betsy died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By  at March 13, 2025 12:53pm EDT

 dogs helped locate the actor's body when authorities arrived at the couple's home on Feb. 26.

Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained the department immediately located Betsy in a bathroom after entering the front door of the New Mexico home. However, officials searched for nearly 30 minutes with no sign of Hackman.

While paramedics and officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department searched the home, one of the couple's dogs kept running up to them. Authorities originally thought the dog wanted to play, but later realized the pup was trying to help. One of Hackman and Betsy's dogs died, but two remained alive at the home and were able to roam through an open back door.

"They realized \ was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’" Moya told .

 deaths were attributed to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, New Mexico officials told reporters. Meanwhile, Hackman died from hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributing factor. It's plausible that the actor was home alone with Betsy's deceased body before he passed.

Feb. 18 was the last day activity was recorded on Hackman's pacemaker. The device noted "abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation."

**WATCH: NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS CONFIRMED GENE HACKMAN AND HIS WIFE BETSY'S CAUSE OF DEATHS**

[](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369464199112)

**GENE HACKMAN DEATH TIMELINE: ACTOR'S FINAL DAYS WITH WIFE**

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department later confirmed during a press conference that Betsy likely died on Feb. 11. Hackman most likely died one week later.



Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were both found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26.





Authorities determined Betsy died on or around Feb. 11 through her activity and communication. The former classical pianist had an email conversation on the morning of Feb. 11 before heading out to a local grocery store, a pharmacy and a pet store. She returned to the couple's gated community around 5:15 p.m., garage clicker data showed.

"Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that \ passed away first, with Feb. 11 being the last time that she was known to be alive," Jarrell said.

Authorities responded to a 911 call on Feb. 26 and discovered .

The investigation remains ongoing until cellphone data can be reviewed and a necropsy is performed on their dog, Zinna.



Gene Hackman appeared in a classic film scene from Full Moon on Blue Water before his death in 2025.

**RELATED TOPICS**
------------------

- 
- 
- 

### Trending

- [](/entertainment/sydney-sweeney-jessica-alba-shine-black-white-photos)
  - **Entertainment**
  - 
  
- [](/entertainment/country-star-colt-ford-admits-one-thing-fans-dont-know-about-jason-aldean)
  - **Country**
  - 
  
- [](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6370081635112)
  - **VIDEO**
  - 
  
- [](/entertainment/fox-news-entertainment-newsletter-trump-slams-rosie-odonnell-ben-affleck-shuts-down-sons-6k-shoes-request)
  - **Entertainment Newsletter**
  - 
  
- [](/entertainment/james-van-der-beek-forced-look-mortality-eye-he-leaned-faith-during-hardest-year-cancer)
  - **Celebrity Health News**
  - 
  
- [](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6370073932112)
  - **VIDEO**
  - 

**FOX NEWS ENTERTAINMENT**
-------------------------

Get a daily look at the top news in music, movies, television and more in the entertainment industry.

Arrives Weekdays

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News  and , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.

**SUBSCRIBE**

Subscribed
```