Bodycam Footage Released in Death Investigation of Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman
Santa Fe, NM – Recently released bodycam footage has shed new light on the death investigation of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman. The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home in February 2024. Gene was 94 years old.
According to TMZ and KOB4, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department released over an hour of footage showing law enforcement’s response to the couple’s home after they were discovered. The release follows an unsuccessful legal effort by the Hackman estate to block public access to the material.
Family Involved in Emotional Moments
In one video obtained by TMZ, a sheriff’s deputy can be heard speaking on the phone with Gene’s daughter, Elizabeth, about a dead dog found near Betsy’s body. Elizabeth reportedly asked for the dog, later identified as Zinna, the couple’s 12-year-old pet, to be cremated and buried with Betsy. She also asked the officer to preserve Zinna’s collar if she was wearing one.
Another clip shows a groundskeeper who had worked closely with the couple, becoming emotional after seeing the scene. “They treated me really well,” he said. “She [Betsy] was a sweetheart … to see them like that…” His reaction highlights the deep personal connection the Hackmans had with their staff and community.
Autopsy and Cause of Death Details
Authorities confirmed Betsy Arakawa Hackman likely died on February 11, and Gene Hackman likely passed away around a week later, on February 18. Activity from Gene’s pacemaker ended on that date, showing signs of atrial fibrillation.
Medical officials ruled Betsy’s cause of death as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly illness spread by rodent droppings. Gene Hackman died from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor.
Gene’s autopsy revealed severe heart disease, prior heart attacks, multiple heart surgeries, and kidney damage from chronic high blood pressure.
Legal Battle Over Privacy
Lawyer Kurt Sommer, on behalf of the Hackman estate, filed a petition in Santa Fe district court on March 11 seeking to block the release of both the bodycam footage and autopsy reports, arguing the couple’s right to privacy outweighed public interest.
The petition emphasized that the Hackmans led a private life for more than three decades in Santa Fe and were not public about their personal lifestyle. Their estate, now represented by Julia Peters of Avalon Trust Co., seeks to protect that legacy.
Sheriff’s Department Responds
Despite the petition, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said the released footage did not fall under the scope of the lawsuit, as most of it was recorded outside the home and during initial response procedures.
The department confirmed that both of Gene’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, were contacted shortly after the discovery of the bodies.
A Life of Privacy and Legacy
Gene Hackman, an Academy Award-winning actor known for roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, had been retired from acting since 2004. He and Betsy lived quietly in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for over 30 years.
The couple was known for valuing privacy, and the recent court filings reflect the family’s desire to grieve in peace.
The release of bodycam footage has raised ongoing questions about public transparency vs. privacy rights in high-profile cases. For the Hackman family, the focus remains on honoring the legacy of two individuals who deeply valued their privacy and lived quietly outside the Hollywood spotlight. As the investigation closes, their loved ones continue to seek space to mourn with dignity.