Fate of Gene Hackman’s dogs in ‘limbo’ after they roamed freely for 10 days following couple’s death

Two dogs survived the death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy while a third was found dead

The surviving dogs of actor Gene Hackman and his wife are currently in “limbo” following the couple's death. The German Shepherd, Bear, and an Akita-shepherd mix, Nikita, cannot be rehomed until the couple's wills have been read.

They were rescued from the couple's home and are at a dog boarding facility in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It's still unknown what provisions Hackman made for the dogs in his will.

It remains uncertain whether any of Hackman's family will adopt the dogs or if they will find a new home with another family. Heartbreaking details about the condition in which the dogs were found have emerged.

Police previously described the two dogs as “healthy”, while the remains of a third “mummified” dog were discovered in a bathroom closet near Betsy's body. It has since been revealed that the deceased dog was Zinna, a 12 year old Australian Kelpie mixed-breed, not a German Shepherd as initially reported.

The dogs, who had been left to roam freely for at least ten days, were discovered by police who called animal control. While Bear was easily captured near Betsy's body, Nikita was running around and “skittish because of all the commotion,” according to USA Today.

Efforts to persuade Nikita, the dog, into Betsy's vehicle proved futile. She resisted all tricks, including treats and door-opening tactics. Consequently, a door trap was set up overnight in the garden to secure her, reports the Mirror.

Following this, both pets were taken to a boarding facility. The investigation into the mysterious death of the couple has hit a roadblock with law enforcement awaiting toxicology reports.

Famed actor Hackman and celebrated classical pianist Betsy, aged 65, were discovered deceased in different rooms of their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, last Wednesday. Authorities speculate that Hackman likely passed away roughly nine days prior to being found.

Confirming earlier details, officers stated that the last recorded activity on Hackman's pacemaker was dated February 17. Nonetheless, the exact sequence of the couple’s death remains undetermined, with police noting both bodies were found in a “mummified” state.

Detectives are trying to reconstruct the couple's final days and have compiled a list of people for interviews, including Hackman's children Christopher, 65, Elizabeth Jean, 63, and Leslie, 58, from his former marriage to Faye Maltese.

The family are said to be eagerly awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

The couple were last photographed together in March 2024. Hackman could be seen holding a walking cane and clutching his wife's arm.

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