Fate of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's surviving dogs Bear and Nikki after couple's death revealed
SANTE FE, NEW MEXICO: Hollywood is still reeling from the shocking and mysterious deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 63. But amid the heartbreak, many have been wondering what happened to the couple’s two remaining dogs.
A grieving friend of the couple told ABC News that Hackman and Arakawa’s two surviving pets, Bear and Nikki, are safe and slowly adjusting to life without their devoted owners.
Fate of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's surviving dogs revealed
The world was left stunned when Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead inside their sprawling Santa Fe mansion. Their bodies were discovered on February 26 by a neighborhood caretaker, who immediately placed a frantic 911 call after spotting the lifeless couple through the windows.
Tragically, they weren’t the only ones who didn’t survive.
Among their three cherished dogs, one—an Australian kelpie mix named Zinfandel, or Zinna—was also found dead inside the home.
Zinna’s body was discovered inside a crate, positioned just 10 to 15 feet away from Arakawa’s body, according to authorities. Meanwhile, their two other dogs, Bear (a German shepherd) and Nikki (a German mix), miraculously survived.
Unlike Zinna, Bear and Nikki appeared to have access to a doggy door—which likely played a crucial role in their survival.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that when officials arrived at the scene, one of the surviving dogs was found near Arakawa’s body, while the other was outside the house. Their fate remained uncertain—until now.
The two surviving dogs are currently in the care of Joe Padilla, the owner of the pet daycare and boarding facility Santa Fe Tails. Padilla, who frequently boarded the couple’s dogs, told the new outlet that he is looking after Bear and Nikki until further instructions from Hackman’s family.
“They are safe and adjusting,” Padilla reassured. “I will be holding on to them until I get word on what Betsy’s wishes for these dogs are.”
Padilla spoke warmly of the late couple. They were "amazing friends and dog lovers,” he shared, adding that the pets were Arakawa’s “babies.”
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa became reclusive after Covid pandemic
Joe Padilla reminisced about his relationship with the couple, recalling how they used to go out for meals together before the pandemic struck in 2020.
However, Hackman became more reclusive in later years, with Arakawa taking measures to keep him away from large crowds to protect his health.
Padilla recalled the last time he saw Arakawa was in January when she dropped off Bear. Their final conversation was brief but filled with warmth.
“She was the same old, just, you know, ‘Hey, how’s it going, good to see you,’” he said.
“I’m terribly saddened,” Padilla added. “They were really good people.”
Investigation into Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths continues
The mystery surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa has left many questions unanswered.
Authorities initially suspected a gas leak, but a thorough investigation by the New Mexico Gas Company found no significant signs of gas leaks or carbon monoxide inside the home.
That said, the gas company did issue five red tags for various concerns. One of those was for a minor gas leak at the stove burner, which registered only “0.03 percent gas in the air”—an amount that is not considered lethal.
“The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations—not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide—including a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces,” police confirmed.
Authorities believe the couple had been deceased for over nine days before their bodies were discovered. Hackman’s last recorded activity on his pacemaker was on February 17, suggesting that was the day he died.
The 'Unforgiven' star was found inside the mudroom, with his cane and sunglasses lying nearby. Police believe he may have suddenly collapsed.
