Gene Hackman’s daughter makes heartbreaking request to cops after his death in newly released bodycam footage

Gene Hackman’s daughter made a heartbreaking request to police following the discovery of her father, stepmother, and one of their dogs.

Last month, the bodies of Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found in their New Mexico home. They were discovered in separate rooms, and authorities later confirmed that they had died at different times from unrelated causes.

Arakawa is believed to have passed away on February 11 from natural causes. Hackman reportedly died several days later, on February 18—the last date his pacemaker recorded any activity.

It has been suggested that the Hollywood legend, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s, “likely didn’t know she had died,” which may explain why he never reported her passing.

New details surrounding the aftermath of their deaths have since emerged. On Friday (March 21), the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage showing a conversation between a detective and Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth. The video, dated February 27 and obtained by TMZ, captures the officer discussing the fate of Hackman and Arakawa’s surviving dogs, as well as the pet that had died.

During the call, the officer informed Elizabeth—who was reportedly left out of her father’s $80 million will—that the deceased dog could be cremated, and she could collect the ashes.

Gene Hackman is believed to have died on February 18 (Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

She then asks that the dog, believed to have been called Zinna, is buried with her late stepmother and that the collar is saved for her to keep before the pet’s cremation.

As to how Zinna died, authorities confirmed that the beloved dog died from dehydration and starvation.

Zinna was found in her crate that she’d been kept in after undergoing surgery. Meanwhile, Hackman and Arakawa’s other dogs were found roaming around their home.

Recalling their behavior, Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moya said the dogs kept barking at them as if trying to get their attention.

“They realized (the dog) was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here’,” Moya said.

Officers then followed the two pets who lead them to the mudroom where Hackman had died.