Major Error Identified in Initial Gene Hackman Death Details
A misidentification in the original reports surrounding the death of Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their three pet dogs has been uncovered.Because the affidavit for the search warrant obtained by sheriff's deputies noted that first responders "observed/found a deceased brown in color German-Shepard [sic] canine,” according to USA Today, it was originally believed that the couple's German shepherd—identified by friends as Bear—was found deceased in a closed crate several feet from Arakawa.🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 However, the surviving dogs, including 7-year-old Akita-shepherd mix Nikita, were correctly identified by Joey Padilla, a longtime trainer for the couple and the owner of Santa Fe Tails—the pet care facility currently caring for them.Padilla revealed that the deceased dog was actually Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix. Zinna, short for Zinfandel, went through agility training when she was younger with the intention of competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, though it's unclear if she was ever entered. Denise Womack-Avila, a spokeswoman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, told the publication she was unaware of the mistake and suggested that the investigators on scene just misidentified the breed. “Our deputies do not deal with canines on a daily basis and I cannot currently speak to the condition or state of the dog’s body upon discovery,” she added. The department also originally reported that Bear and Nikita, who "appeared healthy" upon discovery, were taken into the custody of the Santa Fe County Animal Control Division.According to a press release, animal control "worked with the family to ensure the safety of the two dogs."Per USA Today, Sheriff Adan Mendoza called one of Hackmans' daughters while Padilla was present to discuss the fate of the beloved pets. Overwhelmed with grief, she had no answer. Padilla took the dogs to his facility, where he said they will remain until lawyers determine if the couple's wills state what to do with them. No matter what, he said they won't be taken to a shelter. (A local company donated food for the pair while a local vet hospital offered to cremate Zinna's remains, though her body has not been released by authorities yet.)“If only people knew how meticulous and amazing (Hackman and Arakawa) were with the dogs,” he told the publication. “It breaks my heart.”“I think this is a tragic accident,” he added. “There’s no way that Betsy would have left that dog in a crate for any other reason.” Parade has reached out to the Sheriff's Department for comment. Next: Gene Hackman’s Neighbor Reveals Touching Gesture From Actor After Just One Dinner Together
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings