THE cops investigating Gene Hackman’s case have admitted a crucial error made while investigating the deaths of the actor and his wife.

Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead alongside one of their beloved dogs on February 26 – but cops initially misidentified which of their pets was found dead in its kennel.

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The longtime couple’s bodies were discovered by a neighborhood caretaker who placed a frantic 911 call after seeing the dead pair unmoving through the windows of their sprawling mansion.

However, there were no obvious wounds on either of them, launching an investigation into the mysterious deaths as they had seemingly been dead for over a week.

Arakawa had signs of mummification on her hands and feet, cops said in a search warrant after they found her lying in the bathroom of her home with pills from an open prescription bottle scattered on the counter.

The classical pianist was found 10 to 15 feet away from one of the couple’s three dogs, deceased, which cops noted as bizarre as the other two dogs were found alive and healthy in the house.

Top details in the case…

• Gene Hackman was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their pet dog at their home in Santa Fe, cops said.
• Gene was last spotted with his wife in 2024 just weeks after his 94th birthday
• Cops have not revealed the acting legend’s cause of death but say there are no signs of foul play
• Police also said an “active investigation” has been launched into the couple’s shocking death
• Tributes to Gene and Betsy pour in from fellow Hollywood actors and stars
• Gene made a haunting comment on his “fear” of death
• The actor’s pal revealed how he went from the least likely to succeed at school to a two-time Oscar winner
• Gene had a “difficult” relationship with his kids and lost touch with his son
• How Gene met his second wife, who he was married to for 34 years, at the gym

The dog found dead in the bathroom of the couple’s home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was 12-year-old Zinna, a reddish Australian Kelpie mixed breed, according to USA Today.

However, cops first named the dog as the couple’s German Shepherd Bear.

Animal chiropractor Sherry Gaber, who knew the late couple as her clients and friends, said the mix-up didn’t make sense to her.

“I can’t handle that image,” Gaber told USA Today.

“That’s why this whole thing is so distressing. It just doesn’t add up.”

Bear is reportedly alive and well with the couple’s other dog, seven-year-old Akita-shepherd mix Nikita.

Nikita and Bear, who had access to a doggie door, are now at a pet daycare facility until lawyers determine where they’ll live.

It’s unclear how Zinna was misidentified in the police report.

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“If only people knew how meticulous and amazing [Hackman and Arakawa] were with the dogs,” said animal trainer Joey Padilla.

Padilla trained and cared for Hackman and Arakawa’s dogs for many years.

He was called to transport the pets to his facility after their owners’ bodies were found last week.

“It breaks my heart,” he added.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.

Denise Womack-Avila, a spokesperson for the SFCSO, told USA Today she didn’t know about the mix-up.

“Our deputies do not deal with canines on a daily basis and I cannot currently speak to the condition or state of the dog’s body upon discovery,” she told the outlet.

Zinna, whose body was found in a closed crate, once trained to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The dog’s misidentification could spark speculation over the police’s investigation into Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths.

HEARTBREAKING MYSTERY

Cops found the beloved actor and his wife in their home on the afternoon of February 26.

Officials later found the couple had likely been dead for over nine days after Hackman’s last recorded activity on his Pacemaker was on February 17.

Cops found Hackman in a mudroom with his cane and sunglasses near his body.

Police noted the legendary actor looked like he fell to the ground suddenly.

NO GAS LEAK

Initial speculation in the case was centered around a potential gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, but the fire department shot down the theories as there was no gas leak in the house.

On Tuesday, the SFCSO and City Fire Department confirmed toxic fumes didn’t kill Hackman, Arakawa, or their dog.

An extensive investigation by the New Mexico Gas Company confirmed no significant gas leak or carbon monoxide findings – only a “minuscule” leak near one of the house’s stove burners, cops said.

Hackman’s three children from his first marriage released a statement in the wake of the actor’s death.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter said in a statement.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa.

“We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

Hackman was a two-time Oscar winner and five-time nominee after an impressive career spanning four decades.

Hackman and Arakawa’s causes of death have not yet been determined.

SFCSO Sheriff Adam Mendoza said it could take months to reveal the actual cause of death.

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