Gene Hackman’s dog Zinna’s likely cause of death revealed: ‘Partial mummification’ | Hollywood News

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 the Associated Press. The report described its condition as “severe postmortem decomposition with partial mummification” but found no signs of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning. “If the dog was in a confined space without access to food or water, the dog most likely died of dehydration/starvation,” the report stated.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s dog died of ‘starvation and dehydration’
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.  According to the report, Zinna’s official cause of death was ruled as starvation and dehydration. Investigators noted the dog’s stomach was empty except for “small traces of bile and hair.” 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.
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Also read: Gene Hackman passed away a week after wife’s death, unaware that she was no more
How did Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa die?
Gene Hackman’s official cause of death was ruled to be heart disease. He had also reportedly been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which may explain why he didn’t 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 rodents like rats and mice. Gene died several days later, on February 18.
Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moys told USA Today that the couple’s two surviving dogs kept running up to first responders and barking, as if trying to lead them to their owners’ 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.
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’t return to pick up Zinna’s specialised dog food and medication on February 11.