Gene Hackman had three dogs at his New Mexico mansion when he was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ along with his wife Betsy Arakawa.

There has been concern about the health of the canines as Gene and Betsy had been ᴅᴇᴀᴅ for some time. But on Friday, authorities gave an update on the pets. 

One of them was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ on the floor in a bathroom closet, reported TMZ. The two other dogs were alive with one by Betsy’s body and the other running loose outside.

According to a sheriff’s press release, Santa Fe County Animal Control is reportedly working with Hackman’s family to ‘ensure the safety of the two dogs.’

The ᴅᴇᴀᴅ dog was a German Shepherd. The animal was found on the floor only about 10 feet away from Betsy who had prescription pills strewn around her.

Gene Hackman had three dogs at his New Mexico mansion when he was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ along with his wife Betsy Arakawa. There has been concern about the health of the canines as Gene and Betsy had been ᴅᴇᴀᴅ for some time

But on Friday, authorities gave an update on the pets. One of them was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ on the floor in a bathroom closet, reported TMZ; seen in 1992

A spokesperson for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told the site that an autopsy has not been performed on the deceased dog yet. But the dog may be tested soon.

Autopsies will be done on Gene and Betsy but it may take up to six weeks for toxicology tests to be completed, TMZ claimed.

There has been mystery surrounding the death of Gene and Betsy. 

This comes after Hackman’s daughter Leslie said, ‘There was no indication that there was any problem’ before her father’s death.

The 95-year-old Hollywood great and his wife Betsy, 63, were found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in separate rooms of their Santa Fe property on Wednesday but his daughter insists that he was ‘in good health’ prior to his pᴀssing.

Leslie told DailyMail.com: ‘Despite his age, he was in a very good physical condition.

‘He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.’

Leslie – one of the ‘Unforgiven’ star’s three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese – did state that her father’s death was ‘not terribly shocking because he was 95’.

She also added that she had not seen or heard from her reclusive dad for a ‘few months’ as she lives in California, even though they enjoyed a ‘close’ relationship.

Leslie, 58, said: ‘We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple of months, but everything was normal and everything was good.’

The two other dogs were alive with one by Betsy’s body and the other running loose outside. According to a sheriff’s press release, Santa Fe County Animal Control is reportedly working with Hackman’s family to ‘ensure the safety of the two dogs’

Hackman, winner of Best Supporting Actor at academy awards in March 1993, might be in Sunday’s Oscar in memoriam

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Gene Hackman was ‘beloved’ regular customer at Santa Fe roadhouse where his visit was featured on Food Network

Leslie has stressed that the Oscar-winner and his wife Betsy had ‘a wonderful marriage’ after tying the knot over 30 years ago.

She said: ‘They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.

‘(Betsy) took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health.

‘So I am appreciative to her for that, and I’m very saddened by her pᴀssing.’

Leslie confirmed that she will be travelling to New Mexico once the police provide her with more information after the authorities revealed that the circumstances surrounding the pair’s deaths were ‘not normal’.

She explained: ‘We need to wait and find out whatever information from the police. We weren’t expecting to have to go out there and go through the house and all that.

‘So we have some work cut out for us. But yeah, we’ll be going out to New Mexico.’

The Royal Tenenbaums cast member Hackman poses at the premiere of the film in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles in 2001

Barbra Streisand led the heartfelt tributes to Gene Hackman 

By Terry Zeller

Barbra Streisand led the heartfelt tributes to Gene Hackman following the legendary actor’s shocking death at age 93 on Wednesday.

Hackman—renowned for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven—was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ alongside his 64-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa  and their dog at their New Mexico home.

While the circumstances surrounding the tragedy remain unclear, officials have stated that no foul play is suspected at this time, though an investigation is ongoing.

Despite the lingering questions, Streisand took to Instagram to honor her All Night Long co-star, with whom she shared the screen in the 1981 comedy alongside Dennis Quaid and Diane Ladd.

‘Gene Hackman was an incredible actor. He lived a long life and left an amazing legacy. May he rest in peace,’ she wrote, sharing a still from their film.

Alec Baldwin, who appeared alongside Hackman in The Royal Tenenbaums, also paid tribute, posting a scene from the 2001 classic with the caption, ‘It doesn’t get any better than this… Love to Gene’s family.’

Barbra Streisand led the heartfelt tributes to Gene Hackman following the legendary actor’s shocking death at age 93 on Wednesday; (seen in 2023)

Despite the lingering questions, Streisand took to Instagram to honor her All Night Long co-star, with whom she shared the screen in the 1981 comedy alongside Dennis Quaid and Diane Ladd

‘Gene Hackman was an incredible actor. He lived a long life and left an amazing legacy. May he rest in peace,’ she wrote, sharing a still from their film

Screen siren Michelle Pfeiffer shared a pH๏τo of the beloved Hooosiers star, writing, ‘What a tremendous talent and tremendous loss for cinephiles everywhere. A true legend in cinema. Sending love and light to Gene and Betsy’s family.’

Viola Davis honored the Oscar-winning actor’s unforgettable screen presence, writing, ‘Loved you in everything! The Conversation, The French Connection, The Poseidon Adventure, Unforgiven—tough yet vulnerable. You were one of the greats. God bless those who loved you. Rest well, sir.’

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE Gene Hackman’s daughter breaks silence on her reclusive father after his mysterious death

Josh Brolin shared his devastation over the loss, posting, ‘I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. 

‘He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to their own drums like he did. Rest in Peace.’

Antonio Banderas also mourned the Hollywood icon, calling it ‘a very sad day for the cinema’s family.’ 

He wrote, ‘Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have pᴀssed away. My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers. RIP.’

Director Francis Ford Coppola, who helmed the 1974 thriller The Conversation with Hackman in the lead role, paid tribute to the actor in an Instagram post. 

‘The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,’ he wrote. 

Alec Baldwin , who appeared alongside Hackman in The Royal Tenenbaums, also paid tribute, posting a scene from the 2001 classic with the caption, ‘It doesn’t get any better than this… Love to Gene’s family’

Screen siren Michelle Pfeiffer shared a pH๏τo of the beloved Hooosiers star, writing, ‘What a tremendous talent and tremendous loss for cinephiles everywhere. A true legend in cinema. Sending love and light to Gene and Betsy’s family’

Josh Brolin shared his devastation over the loss, posting, ‘I am crushed by the sudden deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa (and their dog). Crushed. ‘He was always one of my favorites. Not many who beat to their own drums like he did. Rest in Peace’

Director Francis Ford Coppola , who helmed the 1974 thriller The Conversation with Hackman in the lead role, paid tribute to the actor in an Instagram post

‘I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.’ 

Filmmaker Paul Feig honored Hackman in a tribute on X, calling him ‘an inspiration.’

‘So awful. Gene was such an inspiration to so many of us who love movies. So many brilliant roles,’ Feig wrote. 

‘His performance in The Conversation alone changed the way I looked at acting and what actors could bring to a role. Such an amazing career. RIP Mr. Hackman.’