Gene Hackman’s dog found dead in closet 10-15 ft from wife Betsy Arakawa’s mummified body

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: In a tragic and disturbing discovery, Gene Hackman’s beloved German Shepherd was found dead just 10 to 15 feet away from the mummified body of his wife Betsy Arakawa at their Santa Fe home.

The body of their dog was discovered in a closet near the bathroom where Arakawa’s decomposing remains were found by maintenance workers, marking a haunting detail in the ongoing investigation into the couple’s mysterious deaths.

Search warrant reveals eerie details at scene of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s deaths

Gene Hackman, the 95-year-old BAFTA award-winning actor, and his wife, 63-year-old classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead in their multimillion-dollar home on Wednesday, February 26.

The couple's dog’s death, along with the eerie proximity of the bodies, has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the family’s tragic end.

A search warrant obtained by TMZ detailed the scene inside the couple’s home.

The report noted that "the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened," and mentioned the discovery of a "healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom."

Deputies also noted "the heater being moved" and "the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female."

According to the Mirror, authorities have said there are no obvious signs of trauma or a gas leak. No suicide note was found, and at this stage, the cause of death remains unclear. "At this stage in the process there isn't anything obvious like that," Sheriff Mendoza said. "The autopsy is going to tell us more."

Authorities investigate suspicious deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa as dog’s cause of death remains unclear

While the dog’s cause of death remains part of the ongoing investigation, the couple’s death is being treated with suspicion. "The death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," the search warrant states.

The authorities are continuing to investigate the deaths of Hackman and his wife, though initial reports suggest there was no foul play.

Gene Hackman was an iconic actor, celebrated for his extensive film career, including roles in 'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven'. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was a renowned classical pianist.

The couple's sudden and unexplained deaths have left their family and fans in shock, and authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.