An examination of the dog found dead along with actor Gene Hackman and his wife in his home in Santa Fe shows dehydration and hunger probably what led to the disappearance of the animal.
A report obtained by The Association press From the details of the veterinary laboratory of the State Department of Agriculture, the partial mummification and pointed out that although the severe decomposition could have obscured the changes in the organs, there was no evidence of infectious diseases, trauma or poisoning that could have resulted in death.
The report indicated that the dog’s stomach was mostly empty, except for small amounts of hair and bile.
The Kelpie mixture called Zinna was one of the three dogs of the couple.
He was found dead in a box in a bathroom closet near Betsy Arakawa’s body, while two other dogs survived.
The authorities confirmed last week that Hackman died of heart disease with complications of Alzheimer’s disease approximately one week after a rare disease and transmitted by rodents, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, took away his wife’s life.
Hackman was found at the entrance of the house, and Arakawa was found in a bathroom.
Like the dog, their bodies broke down with some mummification, a consequence of the type of body and the climate in the especially dry air of Santa Fe at a height of almost 2200 meters.
Although it was declared that both deaths were of natural causes, the Sheriff’s Office of the Santa Fe County is finishing the investigation by linking the timeline with any information obtained from the cell phones collected in the house and the last contacts that were made.
“The case is considered active until we have that information to link the timeline,” he said
Denise Womack Avila, a Sheriff spokeswoman.
Zinnia went from being a shelter dog returned to an incredible partner who was always next to Arakawa, said Joey Padilla, owner of the petty pet care installation of Santa Fe Tails who was involved in the care of surviving dogs.
The couple led a private life after moving to Santa Fe decades ago.
A representative of the couple’s heritage has cited that privacy when trying to block the public launch of the autopsy and research reports related to their deaths, especially photographs and videos.
It will depend on a state district judge to consider that request.
