Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa received a touching tribute from the Santa Fe Film Commission following the pair’s recent deaths.
At the top of a Friday press conference, Santa Fe Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia opened with a tribute on what the late actor and wife meant not only to the film industry but to the city they called home.
“Today, Santa Fe and the film industry mourn the loss of two extraordinary individuals, Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. Gene was not only a legendary actor whose talent shaped generations of storytelling, but he and Betsy were also longtime residents of our community, deeply woven into the fabric of Santa Fe,” LaBar-Tapia said. “Gene’s legacy in film is unparalleled, spanning decades of unforgettable performances, including some that are filmed right here in Santa Fe. His work inspired countless artists, actors and filmmakers, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.”
She continued, “But beyond Hollywood, Gene and Betsy were our neighbors who embrace the Santa Fe lifestyle and embraced Santa Fe as their home. Their kindness, generosity and love for this city made them more than just icons, they were a part of our family. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and all who knew them and admired them. We join the film industry, their family, their friends and all the people of Santa Fe in honoring their memory.”
The primary reason for Friday’s press conference was for Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza to update the public on what they had learned since Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were found on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Namely, that the “last event” on Hackman’s pacemaker was recorded back on Feb. 17 – nine days before the couple was discovered.
“Both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide. An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman’s pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on Feb. 17, 2025,” Mendoza said, citing the pathologist from the New Mexico office of the medical investigator. “Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.”
“Collected from the residence from the search warrant, there were two green in color cell phones, two bottles of medication, one bottle of over-the-counter Tylenol, My Request medical records and a 2025 monthly planner calendar,” he further noted. “Those items were secured from the residence for evidentiary purposes.”
The bodies of the pair were discovered on Wednesday, but news of the their deaths was not made public until early Thursday. At the time, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office media coordinator Denise Womack-Avila insisted “no foul play” was suspected despite the search warrant affidavit describing things at the scene as “suspicious.”
