Gene Hackman spent his later years in quiet seclusion in Santa Fe, where he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, lived away from the public eye. Their peaceful retreat became the focus of an investigation after they were found dead in their home, along with one of their dogs. A maintenance worker discovered the scene on February 26, 2025, prompting an immediate police response,

Authorities found no signs of forced entry or foul play, and initial tests ruled out gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. As investigators await autopsy results, fans reflect on Hackman’s legacy—a celebrated actor who left Hollywood behind to embrace a private life of writing and home renovations.