New details have surfaced regarding the devastating deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa Hackman, 65, and their dog Zinna.
Authorities have also shed light on how the couple’s other two dogs played a crucial role in the discovery of their bodies.
The Discovery of Gene and Betsy’s Bodies
According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Betsy was found collapsed in a bathroom near a space heater, with scattered pills nearby.
When paramedics from the Santa Fe Fire Department arrived, they entered the home through the front door and quickly spotted Betsy’s body on the bathroom floor.
However, despite searching the house for 30 minutes, they initially didn’t see anyone else.
Fire Chief Brian Moya told USA Today that during the search, the couple’s two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, repeatedly ran up to the paramedics, barking and then dashing away as if trying to lead them somewhere.
“They realized the dog was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’” Moya explained.
Following the dogs, first responders eventually found Gene’s body in a mudroom at the back of the home. The back door had been left open, allowing Bear and Nikita to move freely in and out of the house.
Tragically, the couple’s third dog, Zinna, a kelpie mix, was found deceased in her crate. She had been recovering from major surgery in January and was on crate rest, according to Robert Gruda, the owner of Gruda Veterinary Hospital.
Staff at the veterinary hospital grew concerned when Betsy failed to pick up specialized food and medication for Zinna on February 11—the last day she was seen alive.
“She was devoted to those dogs,” Gruda told USA Today. “She was consistent, predictable. We knew something was wrong when she didn’t pick up the food on time.”
Gruda also praised Betsy as an exceptional caretaker.
“She was an excellent dog owner, an excellent caretaker to those dogs. She really doted on them.”
A Legacy of Love for Dogs
In the aftermath of their deaths, Bear and Nikita have been taken to a local pet daycare facility.
Animal Rescue, Inc., a shelter where Gene had adopted at least one of his dogs, paid tribute to the late actor in a heartfelt statement on February 27.
“We are mourning the passing of our most famous adopter, Gene Hackman. He was an amazing actor and dog lover.”
As the world remembers Hackman for his incredible contributions to film, those closest to him also honor his deep love for animals, a passion he and Betsy shared throughout their lives.
