On Friday afternoon, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department put the rumor mill to rest when they finally shared their findings about how Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died in their New Mexico home. But several questions still remain, including exactly what caused the death of the couple’s beloved dog Zinna.
Based on their investigation, authorities concluded that Arakawa died on February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an infectious disease that is typically carried by deer mice. Hackman is believed to have died a week later, on February 18, of heart disease, with Alzheimer’s noted as an additional contributing factor. Zinna’s death, however, is a bit harder to determine.
Related: Cause of Death for Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Revealed
While authorities are still awaiting necropsy results on the pooch, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps has suggested that dehydration and starvation are two likely causes of the dog’s death. “Given the timelines presented, it is a possibility,” she said at Friday’s press conference, according to CNN.
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Though Phipps could not completely rule out Zinna being exposed to hantavirus, the infection that led to Arakawa’s untimely death, she deemed it extremely unlikely, as “Dogs do not get sick from hantavirus.”
“These viruses are zoonotic,” Phipps added, “meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans.”
Zinna was one of Hackman and Arakawa’s three dogs, and the only one who died with them. Her body was discovered in a closed kennel in the same bathroom where Arakawa was found, only 10 to 15 feet from her owner. The reason Zinna was crated versus free-roaming the home appears to be the result of a recent medical procedure.
Related: Gene Hackman Friend Announces Update On His Dogs
“We know from our investigation that on February 9, 2025, [Arakawa] picked up Zinna from Gruda Veterinary Hospital,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared on Friday. “There was a procedure that was done with the dog, which may explain why the dog was in a crate at the residence.”
Hackman and Arakawa’s two surviving pups, a German shepherd named Bear and a shepherd mix named Nikki, are currently being looked after by Joey Padilla, a friend of the couple who owns Santa Fe Tails, a local boarding facility. In a recent interview with ABC News, Padilla said the dogs “are safe and adjusting.” He also confirmed that he will continue to look after the dogs “until I get word on what Betsy’s wishes for these dogs are.”
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