Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy’s Death Investigation: Bodycam Footage Reveals Heartbreaking Details

Recently released bodycam footage from the death investigation of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, sheds light on the tragic circumstances surrounding their passing. The videos, obtained by TMZ, provide a glimpse into the emotional aftermath faced by family members and those who discovered the couple.

One of the videos captures a Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputy speaking with Gene's daughter, Elizabeth. The conversation took a poignant turn when it involved what to do with the remains of the couple’s oldest dog, Zinna, found lifeless near Betsy’s body. Elizabeth requested the dog be cremated and buried alongside Betsy, even asking about Zinna’s collar, hoping to preserve a cherished keepsake.

The footage, dated February 27, was recorded a day after the discovery of Gene and Betsy’s bodies. Another video shows a distraught groundskeeper who had found the couple, visibly shaken as he shared his fond memories of their kindness. "To see that, both of them … I’m sorry," he said, breaking down emotionally.

The Sheriff’s office stated that investigators promptly contacted both of Gene’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, after the tragic discovery. Local news station KOB4 reported that over an hour of bodycam footage from responding officers was made available, most of which was filmed outside the Hackmans' Santa Fe home. The footage also included interviews with workers involved in the discovery.

This follows a recent legal effort by the Hackman estate to block the release of bodycam footage and autopsy reports. Lawyer Kurt Sommer, representing the estate, argued that such disclosures would be a gross violation of privacy. Citing the precedent set by Kurt Cobain’s case, Sommer insisted that Gene and Betsy had always valued their privacy and that the public's curiosity should not outweigh their dignity in death.

Despite these efforts, the footage was released, as the Sheriff's office determined it fell outside the scope of the lawsuit. In court filings, Sommer emphasized, "Once the images are released, the bell cannot be unrung." He also noted that the Hackmans were long-term residents of Santa Fe who led an exemplary, private life for over 30 years.

The medical findings revealed that Betsy succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but serious illness, while Gene passed away from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, compounded by Alzheimer’s disease. Gene’s pacemaker recorded its last activity on February 18, noting an "abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation." His autopsy further revealed severe heart disease, multiple prior heart surgeries, and significant kidney damage due to chronic high blood pressure.

The couple, who had been longstanding members of the Santa Fe community, were remembered for their low-profile lifestyle and genuine warmth. While the release of these videos has sparked debates around privacy and public interest, it undeniably paints a vivid—and heartbreaking—picture of the final chapter in the lives of a beloved Hollywood icon and his wife.