{"id":274867,"date":"2025-04-05T14:32:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T14:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/05\/gene-hackmans-dog-zinnas-likely-cause-of-death-revealed-partial-mummification\/"},"modified":"2025-04-05T14:32:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T14:32:47","slug":"gene-hackmans-dog-zinnas-likely-cause-of-death-revealed-partial-mummification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/05\/gene-hackmans-dog-zinnas-likely-cause-of-death-revealed-partial-mummification\/","title":{"rendered":"Gene Hackman\u2019s dog Zinna\u2019s likely cause of death revealed: \u2018Partial mummification\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The dog found dead alongside Gene Hackman and his wife at their Santa Fe home on February 26, likely died after suffering from hunger and dehydration, according to a new report from the Santa Fe County animal control agency, cited by the Associated Press. The report described its condition as \u201csevere postmortem decomposition with partial mummification\u201d but found no signs of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning. \u201cIf the dog was in a confined space without access to food or water, the dog most likely died of dehydration\/starvation,\u201d<\/strong> the report stated.<\/p>\n

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa\u2019s dog died of \u2018starvation and dehydration\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Zinna, an Australian Kelpie, was discovered dead inside her crate on February 26, the same day Hackman, 95, and his wife were found unresponsive in their home.\u00a0 According to the report, Zinna\u2019s official cause of death was ruled as starvation and dehydration. Investigators noted the dog\u2019s stomach was empty except for \u201csmall traces of bile and hair.\u201d The couple also had two other dogs. Bear and Nikita were also on the property. However, unlike Zinna, they had been able to roam freely in and around the house due to an open back door. Hackman and his wife had been married since 1991. The investigation into their deaths is ongoing.<\/p>\n

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Story continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Also read: Gene Hackman passed away a week after wife\u2019s death, unaware that she was no more<\/a><\/p>\n

How did Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa die?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Gene Hackman\u2019s official cause of death was ruled to be heart disease. He had also reportedly been diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s, which may explain why he didn\u2019t realise his wife had passed away about a week before him. According to reports, Betsy died on February 11 after contracting a rare virus, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is typically spread by rodents like rats and mice. Gene died several days later, on February 18.<\/p>\n

Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moys told USA Today that the couple\u2019s two surviving dogs kept running up to first responders and barking, as if trying to lead them to their owners\u2019 bodies. They kept darting back and forth in different directions, making it seem like they were desperate to show rescuers what was happening inside the home.<\/p>\n

As for Zinna, who was found dead inside her crate, reports say she had undergone major surgery just a month earlier, in January. Veterinary staff reportedly grew concerned when Betsy didn\u2019t return to pick up Zinna\u2019s specialised dog food and medication on February 11.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n