Heartbreaking video shows loyal dog guarding body of actor Hackman’s wife, days after her death
Chilling footage from inside the Santa Fe home of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakaw,a reveals a heartbreaking scene: the couple’s German shepherd sitting protectively near Arakawa’s lifeless body as deputies searched the house.
The harrowing 11-minute police bodycam video, released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, captures the moment deputies found Arakawa in the bathroom. Just five feet away, her visibly distressed dog watched over her silently.
“Poor guy, he’s sad,” one of the investigators remarked upon seeing the dog.
Though Arakawa’s body was blurred in the footage, the cluttered counter, filled with medication bottles and toiletries, was clearly visible.
Nearby, in a large walk-in closet, deputies discovered the remains of another family pet, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, inside a crate
As deputies moved through the $4 million mansion, they found piles of personal items—clothing, photos, and documents—scattered in nearly every room. Hackman’s body was eventually found in the mudroom area.
“It looks like he was trying to go outside,” a deputy noted.
An investigator’s report described Hackman’s remains as partially mummified, with visible discolouration and stiffness, and personal items like a walking cane and sunglasses found beside him.
The couple’s bodies were discovered on February 26 after private security personnel spotted them through a window and notified authorities.
Initial concerns of carbon monoxide poisoning were dismissed after further investigation.
Medical examiners later confirmed Arakawa, 65, died around February 12 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a rare and deadly disease caused by exposure to rodent droppings.
Hackman, 95, passed away a few days later on February 18 from complications related to heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and kidney disease.
The heartbreaking video also shows deputies opening windows and doors to ventilate the home after detecting the smell of gas.
Open tabs found on Arakawa’s computer from February 8 to the morning of her death revealed she had been researching illnesses with flu-like symptoms, including COVID-19.
The New Mexico Department of Public Health, following an inspection, declared parts of the property, particularly the three garages, two casitas, and sheds, as infested and conducive to hantavirus spread.
Rodent droppings, live and dead vermin, and traps were all found, indicating a long-standing infestation.
Investigators believe Hackman may not have realised Arakawa had died, due to his fragile health at the time.
Tragically, just weeks after the couple’s deaths, three more hantavirus-related fatalities were reported in Mammoth Lakes, California, highlighting the rare but deadly danger of the virus.
See the clip of the moment the policemen entered the room here.
