Pets

Gene Hackman died a full week after his wife Betsy Arakawa died and lived in the house as her body lay in the bathroom ... this according to New Mexico officials.

New Mexico officials concluded Betsy likely died February 11, and the cause of death was Hantavirus ... a serious and rare disease which can be fatal.

Gene died February 18. An autopsy revealed the 95-year-old had a history of cardiovascular disease, along with advanced Alzheimer's. He had a history of heart attacks and high blood pressure. Although the medical investigators did not use the words "heart attack," it seemed they were going in that direction, although the medical investigator said she could not squarely say that was the cause. They did say heart disease was the cause of death, and Alzheimer's was a significant contributing factor.

The Sheriff says it appears Betsy's body was in the house for a week while Gene lived in the same house until his death a week later. Investigators made it clear ... Gene was in poor health and the Alzheimer's may have created confusion, which could explain why he never called authorities.

Katherine Heigl says her efforts to save animals from death row are being sabotaged by a rogue rescue group that's spreading a whole lot of dog s*** about her foundation ... TMZ has learned.

Katherine and her mom, Nancy, run the Jason Heigl Foundation -- named after Katherine's late brother -- which supports animal rescue efforts, particularly saving animals from kill shelters. Awesome work, for sure.

Now, according to a new lawsuit, the Heigls' org signed a deal to support The Pitty Committee, which is a Santa Monica-based dog rescue. The deal was Katherine's foundation would give TPC $5,000 per month to rescue a minimum number of pups of Katherine and Nancy's choosing.

A$AP Rocky had to use a lil muscle in his latest photo shoot ... thanks to his furry model companions who gave him a workout!!!

The Harlem rap star was recently in his old neighborhood for a Vogue photo shoot, with a pair of excited Dalmatians ready to burst off their leashes!!!

Rocky channeled his inner Cruella de Vil with a long, spotted trench coat and flashed a smile -- but clearly struggled to keep Pongo and Perdita sitting still with just one arm.

Gene Hackman's two dogs that were found alive when authorities searched his home are safe and in the care of local officials.

According to a sheriff's press release, Santa Fe County Animal Control is reportedly working with Hackman’s family to “ensure the safety of the two dogs.”

Gene and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, had three dogs -- one of which was found dead by deputies inside a bathroom closet. The German Shepherd was lying 10-15 feet away from Arakawa, who was also found deceased on the bathroom floor -- with prescription pills scattered nearby.

Legendary actor and two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman has been found dead inside his Santa Fe, New Mexico home alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, TMZ has confirmed.

The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were discovered Wednesday afternoon, with Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirming the news just after midnight on Thursday.

The sheriff's office reportedly told NBC affiliate KOB of Albuquerque a welfare check was conducted at his home after a concerned neighbor called the police.

Gene Hackman's death and the deaths of his wife and dog are puzzling authorities, who have labeled his passing "suspicious."

According to a search warrant, obtained by TMZ, a Santa Fe detective who sought a search warrant wrote in his affidavit, he believes "the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened."

The detective continues, "Deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is mourning the loss of his beloved French Bulldog, Hobbs.

The heartbroken "Fast X" star announced on Instagram late Monday night his pup passed over the Rainbow Bridge ... vulnerably writing he feels "numb over this loss."

He added, "We're so grateful for every ounce of pure love he gave our entire family and we’re so grateful he didn’t suffer long as he quietly and bravely left in the night."

Hurricane -- the Secret Service dog that took down an intruder outside the White House in 2014 -- may be gone ... but, the Service honored his heroism one more time before he passed.

Marshall Mirarchi -- Hurricane's handler and close pal -- stopped by "TMZ Live" to talk about the heroic Belgian Malinois ... and, he got teary-eyed early remembering the dog he had for most of his adult life.

Marshall then lays out Hurricane's last day ... saying he took him back to Washington, D.C. so he could see his old workspace -- the White House -- one more time.

Billy Ray Cyrus had a rough start to 2025 -- but, he enjoyed a "ruff" night this weekend ... swapping drama for dogs in support of a good cause.

The singer-songwriter walked the runway at a charity event for the Nashville Human Association Saturday night -- his first public appearance since stoking concerns at Donald Trump's inauguration last month.

Check out the clip ... BRC's flashing some style while showing off his little furry friend -- who's looking a little squirrely in the country crooner's arms.

Justin Theroux and fiancée Nicole Bydon Bloom are heating up the beaches of Tulum, Mexico ... but it’s their dog that’s stealing the show!

Check it out … Justin and Nicole escaped the cold this week and went to the current celeb vacay hot spot of Tulum, Mexico, and as we know, Justin doesn’t go anywhere without his pal Kuma -- including to the Caribbean!

Photos and video show Justin and Kuma splashing around in the water, and while Justin is thankfully shirtless, Kuma is rocking an adorable shark suit. Surely this will ward off any danger in the water!

Tom Sandoval and his model girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson are pitching in to help animals impacted by the L.A. wildfires ... the couple has taken on an adorable foster dog who they say is preparing them to be future parents!

TMZ interviewed the "Vanderpump Rules" alum and his better half about their work with the L.A. dog shelters that are trying to facilitate adoptions so they can make way for displaced pooches affected by the devastating fires.

Tom and Victoria -- a lifelong animal lover -- tell us their cute 8-week-old canine named Milo might be a handful ... but he's worth the trouble because he's brought them closer together.

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The humans in your life aren't the only ones who deserved to be spoiled on Valentine's Day.

As we all gear up to celebrate the most loved-up day of the year, many will be spending February 14 with the ones they love most -- their pets!

From heart-shaped treats and heart-covered toys and bow ties to perfectly pink bowls and beds, here's everything you need to pamper your pet this Valentine's Day.

While your pooch may not be partial to conversation hearts, Milk-Bone's Limited Edition Valentine's Tender Hearts Soft & Chewy Dog Treats are the perfect goodie for your good boy or girl.

Norbert, best known as the viral high-fiving therapy dog, has died ... this according to his owner, Julie Steines.

Julie shared the somber update on Instagram Monday, informing fans "with a heavy heart" that the beloved pup -- full name Saint Norbert Liv Freyermuth Steines -- passed away in her arms Sunday night.

Per Julie, she and her family are heartbroken following Norbert's death ... which came 2 months shy of his 16th birthday.

Chrissy Teigen has announced the sad news that her family dog has died.

The model shared the heartbreaking news in an Instagram post on Saturday that her French Bulldog, Penny has gone to doggy heaven. "Our beautiful little tripod queen, penny, passed on peacefully in her sleep today," she wrote.

She says Penny was born the same day her and her husband, John Legend, got married 11 years ago. "She was there for us for every baby, every loss, every joy," she said.

Kesha is mourning the loss of one of her beloved cats ... confirming the death of her adored feline, Carl, in a somber update for fans.

The pop star shared the sad news on her Instagram early Friday morning, where she posted a poignant tribute featuring several pics of herself snuggling her white and gray furry friend.

Alongside the upload, the singer shared how Carl's death "really broke my heart this time."

Sad news from Russell Wilson ... his beloved dog has died.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback announced the heartbreaking update on his Instagram page just minutes ago ... revealing his Great Dane, Prince, passed away on Friday morning.

"I got you my rookie year," Russ said in an emotional note to his late pup, "& you have been a blessing to our family with so many memories, hugs, and kisses from our 4 kids and us."