On Wednesday, Oscar winner and actor Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa. The 95-year-old film star and his wife, were discovered at their home in the Santa Fe Summit community.
A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico said there is an “active investigation” into the death of celebrity couple. The police department said: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail.
Now, police have released the 911 call from a caretaker, who was concerned because he had not seen the couple. After dialling 911, the caretaker says: “Hello my name is [redacted]. I’m the caretaker for Santa Fe Summit. I think we just found two or one deceased person inside the house.”
The caller can then be heard asking someone for the address before realising there isn’t one and telling the operator “I’m gonna wait for you at the gate. I’m gonna wait for you, please send somebody really quick.”
The operator then asks if the people are male or female, to which the caretaker responds: “A female and a male probably, I don’t know, I don’t know sir, just send somebody up here real quick.”
When asked if the couple are breathing or awake, the caretaker replies: “It’s closed, it’s locked. I can’t go in, but I see them laying… She’s laying down on a floor from the window.”
Since Hackman and Arakawa were found, the police have been issuing updates on the couple. A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said: “In the early hours of Thursday, February 27 2025, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI). An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.”
The official results of the post-mortem examinations and toxicology reports are pending and the manner and cause of death have not yet been determined, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told a press conference the pair had been “deceased for quite a while” but would leave further ruling to the OMI.
New Mexico Gas Company tested gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, according to a search warrant, and while no signs of problems were found, a detective noted that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show signs of poisoning.
Carbon monoxide and other toxicology test results are pending. While there was no “immediate” evidence of foul play, detectives confirmed the investigation was in its “preliminary” stages.