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Investigation advances into Gene Hackman's mysterious death, with update by New Mexico authorities

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Investigation advances into Gene Hackman's mysterious death, with update by New Mexico authorities


SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities are set to reveal more information about an investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa, whose partially mummified bodies were discovered last month at their home in New Mexico.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has said it does not suspect foul play, and tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza and state fire, health and forensics officials scheduled an afternoon news conference Friday to provide updates on the case.

Mendoza has said the couple may have died up to two weeks before they were discovered on Feb. 26. Hackman’s pacemaker last showed activity Feb. 17, nine days before maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.

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Arakawa was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom counter, while Hackman was found in the home’s entryway.

One of the couple’s three dogs also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while two other dogs survived. Authorities initially misidentified the breed of the dead animal.

Authorities retrieved personal items from the home including a monthly planner and two cellphones that will be analyzed. Medical investigators have been working to establish the cause of their deaths, but toxicology reports often take weeks to complete.

When they were found, the bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe’s especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).

Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers” and “Superman” from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.

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Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.

The couple’s stucco, Pueblo-revival style home sits on a hill in a gated community at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. Santa Fe is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.

Hackman dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood’s social circuit. He served for several years on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and his wife were investors in local businesses.





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New Mexico

Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival happening this weekend

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Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival happening this weekend


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival returns to Balloon Fiesta Park this weekend.

Teppanyaki King is among the newer trucks on the menu.

General Manager said the Albuquerque food truck has been open for about six months and will make its second festival appearance this weekend.

Pacheco showed off several dishes and said one of the truck’s best sellers is “lobster and filet mignon.”

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Pacheco said the team wanted to bring something different to Albuquerque because “there’s taco trucks everywhere, you know, and we wanted to bring something completely different to Albuquerque so people can experience restaurant-style cooking, but on the streets.”

He said the truck has about 7 to 10 pounds of filet mignon stocked ahead of the event and full refrigerators as the team prepares for the crowd.

Teppanyaki King also serves daily in Albuquerque near San Antonio and Louisiana, Pacheco said.

People can buy tickets online ahead of time, with a pre-sale discount available if they buy them before the event. Special VIP and beer lover packages are also available.

The festival is happening on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. VIP tickets can get in an hour earlier.

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Human remains found in Santa Fe are those of Joel ‘Deano’ Valdez

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Human remains found in Santa Fe are those of Joel ‘Deano’ Valdez


SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico State Police say human remains found in Santa Fe County are missing man Joel “Deano” Valdez.

State police said the update came after someone walking a dog found human remains on Caja del Rio Road on April 12.

Through coordination with the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), state police said investigators positively identified the remains as Valdez.

The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. OMI will conduct further anthropological examination.

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Valdez was reported missing on Sept. 21, 2025, after he did not return home to Coyote after work in Silver City, according to New Mexico State Police.

State police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The family of Joel “Deano” Valdez sent the following statement:

“We confirm that the remains of Joel “Deano” Valdez have been located. While this development marks a profoundly difficult moment for the family, it brings a measure of closure to a long and painful period of uncertainty that began last September, when he disappeared.

At this time, there are significantly more questions than answers. The circumstances surrounding Deano’s disappearance and death remain under active investigation, and we will not speculate or comment beyond confirmed facts.

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The family is seeking clarity and accountability and is committed to allowing the appropriateauthorities the time and space necessary to conduct a thorough and careful investigation. Through counsel, the family is closely monitoring all developments and will pursue every appropriate avenue to ensure that the facts are fully uncovered.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the tremendous support,
encouragement, and prayers they have received over the past seven months. They are deeply thankful to all who have sacrificed their time and effort in the search for Deano. The family also extends its appreciation to the individuals and agencies who have contributed to the ongoing investigation and commitment to getting answers.

Additionally, they extend their sincere gratitude to all those who have supported and remained invested in Deano’s story. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of support from both the online community and the media. They understand that many are awaiting answers and assure that updates will be shared when appropriate and available.

The family respectfully requests privacy as they process this devastating news. They ask the public and the media to honor their need for space and dignity during this period of mourning.

May Deano rest in peace.”

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Anyone with information related to the case can contact New Mexico State Police at 505-841-9256.



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Settlement could make EpiPen cheaper, more accessible in New Mexico

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Settlement could make EpiPen cheaper, more accessible in New Mexico


SANTA FE, N.M. — A new settlement between the State of New Mexico and the maker of EpiPen is expected to make the EpiPen more accessible and affordable in the state.

Drugmaker Mylan, Inc., agreed to pay $2.25 million to the state. It’ll resolve claims that they engaged in unfair and anticompetitive practices related to its products that are used for emergency allergic reactions.

As a part of the settlement, the company doesn’t have to admit any wrongdoing to those practices. However, they will have to do the following:

  • Increase copay coupons from $25 to $40.
    • People can get $40 off instead of $25.
  • Donate 10,000 more EpiPens to the state for distribution.
    • 1,000 two-packs per year for five years, starting this year.
    • State will distribute as they see fit.
  • Increase awareness of EpiPen’s school program and how to enroll.
    • Program provides free EpiPen devices to schools.
      • Participation in New Mexico is among the lowest in the nation.
        • Around 10% of schools participate.

“This settlement serves as an important protection for New Mexico consumers and families who depend on affordable access to life-saving epinephrine products,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “The New Mexico Department of Justice will continue to fight for fair pricing and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. We look forward to working with Mylan to raise public awareness of the relief this settlement provides.”

The State accused Mylan of violating consumer protection and antitrust statutes with its business and pricing practices. That includes general delay tactic, patent litigation strategies, marketing practices and pricing decisions.

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The $2.25 million to settle those claims will go to the state to support investigation costs, programs, personnel, training and “urgent health care needs.”



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