SANTA FE, N.M. — An examination of the dog discovered deceased alongside in their Santa Fe residence suggests the animal likely died from dehydration and starvation.
According to a report obtained by The Associated Press from the Santa Fe County animal control agency, the dog showed signs of partial mummification. While the extensive decomposition might have obscured organ changes, the report found no indications of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning as potential causes of death.
The report also indicated that the dog’s stomach was largely empty, containing only small quantities of hair and bile.
Zinna, a kelpie mix, was one of the couple’s three dogs. She was discovered deceased in a crate inside a bathroom closet near Betsy Arakawa’s body, while two other dogs survived.
Authorities announced the previous week that Hackman passed away from heart disease complicated by Alzheimer’s disease, approximately one week after his wife succumbed to a rare, rodent-borne illness — . Hackman, suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s, was apparently unaware of his wife’s death.
Hackman was located in the home’s entryway, while Arakawa was found in a bathroom. Similar to the dog, their bodies exhibited decomposition with some mummification, a result of body type and the dry climate at Santa Fe’s high altitude of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).
According to Joey Padilla, owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility involved in caring for the surviving dogs, Zinnia transformed from a returned shelter dog into a wonderful companion who was always by Arakawa’s side.
Arakawa, a Hawaii native, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California, and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a gym in California.
Hackman, a celebrated Hollywood figure, earned two Oscars throughout his distinguished career in films such as “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” and “Superman,” spanning from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.
The couple maintained a discreet life after relocating to Santa Fe several decades ago. A representative for their estate has cited this desire for privacy in an attempt to prevent the public release of autopsy and investigative reports related to their deaths, particularly photographs and video. A state district judge will ultimately consider this request.
