An autopsy of the dog found dead at the Santa Fe home of actor Gene Hackman and his wife indicates that dehydration and starvation were the likely causes of the animal's death. The report, issued by the Department of Agriculture's veterinary laboratory, detailed partial mummification and noted that while severe decomposition may have obscured organ changes, there was no evidence of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning that could have led to the death.
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03-17, 2025The report, obtained by the Associated Press, stated that the dog's stomach was essentially empty, containing only a small amount of hair and bile. Authorities confirmed last week that Hackman died of heart disease, with complications from Alzheimer's disease. His wife's death, from a rare rodent-borne illness, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, occurred about a week prior.
Reportedly, Hackman, in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease, was apparently unaware that his wife had already passed away. Hackman was found dead near the entrance of the house, while his wife, Arakawa, was discovered in the bathroom. Like the dog, their bodies were also in a state of decomposition with partial mummification, attributed to the body type and climate in Santa Fe's particularly dry air and nearly 2200-meter altitude.
While both deaths have been ruled as natural causes, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is compiling cell phone records collected from the home, as well as records of last contacts, to complete the investigation and establish a timeline of events. "Until we get that information to establish a timeline, the case is considered open," said Sheriff’s Office spokesman, Denise Womack Avila.
Joey Padilla, owner of the Santa Fe pet care agency Santa Fe Tails, said Zinnia went from a returned shelter dog to an incredible companion, always by Arakawa's side. Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied piano, attended the University of Southern California, and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a gym in California.
Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars for films such as "The French Connection," "Hoosiers," and "Superman" during a brilliant career spanning from the 1960s to the early 2000s. The couple lived a reclusive life after moving to Santa Fe decades ago. The couple's estate administrator, citing privacy concerns, has sought to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigative reports related to their deaths, particularly photos and videos. A state district court judge will consider this request.
