Gene Hackman’s surviving dogs ‘successfully found homes’ after actor, wife’s death
“It is with great joy that, with the consent of the Estate Attorney, I and my staff at Santa Fe Tails have successfully found homes for the Hackman’s surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita,” Joey Padilla, owner of Santa Fe Tails, told Fox News Digital.
“We went through stringent efforts to ensure the best homes were found, and the dogs have already begun settling into their new lives.”
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Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa-Hackman were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Feb. 26, 2025. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Zinna, one of the couple’s three dogs, was found when Gene and Betsy’s bodies were discovered at their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26.
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“We are all thankful for the concern and well-wishes Bear and Nikita have received during their transition,” Padilla said. “It is our hope that everyone continues to wish them the best and honor their privacy so they can continue to heal.”
Bear and Nikita helped authorities find Gene and Betsy’s bodies when officials arrived at their home in New Mexico. Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained the department immediately located Betsy in a bathroom after entering the front door of the New Mexico home. However, officials searched for nearly 30 minutes with no sign of Hackman.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa-Hackman (not pictured) were longtime dog owners. (Animal Rescue Inc.)
While paramedics and officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department searched the home, one of the couple’s dogs kept running up to them. Authorities originally thought the dog wanted to play but later realized the pup was trying to help. One of Hackman and Betsy’s dogs died, but two remained alive at the home and were able to roam through an open back door.
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“They realized [the dog] was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’” Moya told USA Today.
The deceased dog, Zinna, likely died from dehydration and starvation, the Associated Press reported last week. The partial mummification of the animal could have obscured changes in organs, but there was no evidence of poisoning, infectious disease or trauma that could have led to death, a report released by the Santa Fe County animal control agency stated.
Law enforcement officials talk outside the home of actor Gene Hackman on Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales)
Additionally, the report specified the dog’s stomach was empty and only trace amounts of hair and bile were discovered.
Zinna’s body was discovered in a crate that was in a closet about “10 to 15” feet away from where Betsy’s body was found on the floor of the bathroom.
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New evidence released Monday revealed Betsy may not have died on Feb. 11 as once believed. Betsy’s autopsy determined the manner of death as natural, and authorities previously believed she died on or about Feb. 11. Toxicology results remain pending.
“Pending cell phone records, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office investigation showed the last known activity of Mrs. Hackman to be February 11, 2025,” authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital. “We can now confirm that Mrs. Hackman’s phone was utilized on the morning of February 12 to call a medical center in Santa Fe, Cloudberry Health.”
The entrance to the gated community where actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy, and their dog were found dead in their home is shown on Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales)
Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, N.M., on Feb. 26, 2025. (urschke/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Authorities added, “A total of three calls were made that morning, all to the medical center. One incoming call was made to Mrs. Hackman from the same medical center that afternoon.”
On Monday, the Hackman estate was awarded a temporary restraining order against the release of records regarding the deaths of Gene and Betsy.
The order stated the “Office of the Medical Investigator and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, including each entities’ agents, assigns, and employees are hereby temporarily restrained from disclosing through IPRA or other means, any and all photographs or videos containing images of the following: the body of Gene Hackman, the body of Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, the interior of Mr. and Mrs. Hackman’s residence.”
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Additionally, “any lapel video footage,” including the Hackmans’ bodies or footage of “images of any deceased animals at the Hackman residence,” was added to the temporary restraining order.
Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to Tracy.Wright@fox.com.
