Last Updated on 1 month by Ashley Michael
New details have emerged about the tragic death of Gene Hackman’s 12-year-old dog, Zinna, which was discovered inside the late actor’s home last month. A newly released examination report suggests dehydration and starvation were the likely causes of death, raising questions about the pet’s final days.
According to a veterinary lab report from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Zinna showed signs of partial mummification, indicating she had been without food or water for an extended period. The examination found no evidence of trauma, poisoning, or infectious disease—but the dog’s stomach was completely empty, except for small traces of hair and bile.
Zinna’s lifeless body was discovered inside a locked crate in a bathroom—the same room where Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, was found dead on February 26. Authorities believe Arakawa passed away nearly two weeks earlier, possibly from hantavirus, a rare but deadly rodent-borne disease. Hackman, 95, was found in another part of the house, with medical examiners determining he had succumbed to heart disease on February 18.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza previously noted that Arakawa picked up Zinna from the vet on February 9 after a medical procedure—possibly explaining why the dog was confined. However, Arakawa’s sudden passing meant the pet was trapped without food or water for days before she too perished.
Authorities are still piecing together the exact timeline of events, with investigators analyzing phone records and other data to determine when the deaths occurred. Two other dogs were found alive, roaming the couple’s estate when first responders arrived.
The case remains active, as law enforcement continues to piece together the final days of the Hollywood icon and his wife.