The tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been further compounded by the discovery of their deceased pet dog, Zinna. A state necropsy report revealed that the dog, a kelpie mix, was found partially mummified in a crate near Arakawa’s body in their Santa Fe residence. The report, issued by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, concluded that Zinna died from dehydration and starvation.
Zinna was one of three dogs owned by the couple. The necropsy report detailed the dog’s severe decomposition and partial mummification. Despite the advanced state of decay, the report found no evidence of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning that could have led to the dog’s death. The dog’s stomach contents revealed only small amounts of hair and bile, further supporting the conclusion of death by starvation.
Zinna had a heartwarming backstory, having been adopted from a shelter to become a beloved companion, particularly to Arakawa. Joey Padilla, owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility, which is now caring for the couple’s two surviving dogs, described Zinna as a constant presence at Arakawa’s side.
The circumstances of the couple’s deaths are equally tragic. Arakawa, 65, passed away approximately a week before Hackman, 95. The cause of her death was a rare rodent-borne disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hackman, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s. It is reported that Hackman was unaware of his wife’s passing.
The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26. Although both deaths have been ruled as natural causes, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is still finalizing the investigation. The timeline of events is being established through information obtained from cellphones found at the scene.