Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Hackman’s dog most likely died from starvation and dehydration, according a report obtained by The Associated Press.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Hackman’s dog likely died from dehydration and starvation, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press.
The report, released by the Santa Fe County animal control agency, stated that the partial mummification of the animal could have obscured changes in the organ, but there was no evidence of poisoning, infectious disease or trauma that could have led to death.
The report also specified that the dog’s stomach was empty, with only small amounts of hair and bile being discovered.
GENE HACKMAN DEATH: COMPLETE COVERAGE
Zinna, one of the couple’s three dogs, was found when Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were discovered at their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26.
Authorities previously revealed that Zinna’s body was discovered in a crate that was in a closet about “10 to 15” feet away from where Betsy’s body was found on the floor of the bathroom.
“There was a procedure that was done with the dog which may explain why the dog was in a crate,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza explained during the news conference.
Zinfandel, went by Zinna, was a mixed breed and was the couple’s oldest dog. She was 12.
The couple also owned two German shepherds: Bear, 4, and Nikita, 7.
During the investigation, officers discovered Betsy had picked up Zinna from Gruda Veterinary Hospital in Santa Fe on Feb. 9.
Gene died due to hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor, New Mexico officials confirmed one week ago. He was likely alone in the home for about a week until he died around Feb. 18, which was the last time activity was recorded on his pacemaker.
WATCH: NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS CONFIRMED GENE HACKMAN AND HIS WIFE BETSY’S CAUSE OF DEATHS
Betsy died due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is transmitted from animals to humans and is commonly found in rodents, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed. Her autopsy determined the manner of death as natural. Authorities believe she died on or about Feb. 11.
Hantavirus is characterized by “flu-like symptoms consisting of fever, muscle aches, cough, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea that can progress to shortness of breath and cardiac or heart failure and lung failure,” Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell explained during the news conference.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
The investigation remains ongoing until cellphone data can be reviewed.
Joey Padilla, the owner of Santa Fe Tails, had been working with Hackman and Arakawa, training and watching their dogs, for a decade. He previously told Fox News Digital that the couple’s pets were “attached” to Betsy.
“Anytime Betsy had an errand to do, they went with her. These dogs loved going on a ride in the car with Betsy, and it didn’t matter if it was going to the store, even when we would go to dinner. We’d go to dinner and the dogs would be in the car. They were very much attached to Betsy,” Padilla explained.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
He continued, “It’s hard to explain and encompass how much these dogs meant to these people.”
Padilla said Arakawa would never put her animals in harms’ way.
“I want to reiterate there is nothing that Betsy wouldn’t do for those three dogs. In my opinion, there is no way that dog was up on purpose or without a purpose. There was a reason. It just breaks my heart about Zinna. Zinna would not leave Betsy’s side, they were attached to the hip. It was a pretty phenomenal connection,” Padilla said.
Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
