Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead alongside one of their pet dogs, and animal experts have cleared up a major error made by authorities

An update has been given into the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, revealing that cops made an identification mistake.

Gene died at the age of 95 at his mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico, while Betsy was just 65. A caretaker at the property was the one to sound the alarm on February 26, calling responders when he spotted a woman laying on the floor as he looked through a window into the property.

A dog was also found dead with the couple, with two others found alive on the property. At first, the police reported that Betsy and Gene’s German Shepherd had died, but this was incorrect. The two living dogs are now at a pet care facility in Santa Fe, and have stated that the couple’s 12-year-old kelpie mix, Zinna, died in the house.

When authorities noted a dog’s death, they reported a “deceased brown in colour German-Shepard canine.” However, Gene and Betsy’s German Shepherd, Bear, survived them, along an Akita-Shepherd mix called Nikita.

Police originally stated that Gene and Betsy’s German Shepherd had died, but the pet care facility looking after their two living dogs clarified that this wasn’t the case (Image: Getty Images)

Joey Padilla, who owns the pet care facility looking after the living dogs, acknowledged the mistake and explained: “Our deputies, they don’t work with canines on a daily basis.” Padilla also gave a description of the late Zinna, sharing that the dog “was always attached to Betsy at the hip and it was a beautiful relationship,” and adding: “Zinna went from being a returned shelter dog to this incredible companion under Betsy’s hand.”

Bear and Nikita had been left free to roam for at least 10 days before they were found by cops, who called in animal control. While Bear, who was found near Betsy’s body, was captured easily, Nikita was running around and “skittish because of all the commotion,” according to USA Today.

They tried to coax Nikita into Betsy’s car by opening and closing the door, and also by using treats, but the dog refused. In the end they had to set up a door trap for her overnight in the backyard. They were then both taken to a boarding facility.

Gene’s family previously suspected that a gas leak was responsible for the tragic deaths in the mansion, but it has been revealed that while there was a small gas leak at the property it was not enough to be considered lethal. A local gas company involved in the investigation referred to the leak as “minuscule.” There have been numerous theories circulating about the cause of death. The New Mexico Gas Company stated that they had “conducted an extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide” but found “no significant findings.”

Betsy was found decomposing with bloating to her face and mummification on her hands and feet, with Gene in a similar state of decomposition. An autopsy has since been carried out which ruled out any external trauma to both the actor and his late wife, but hasn’t yet established a cause of death.

Earlier this week, police revealed that they had looked into the data on Gene’s pacemaker and found that the last event was recorded on February 17 – nine days before before his body was found.