U.S. investigators are working to determine the cause of death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead at their home in New Mexico. The incident has sparked widespread attention, and police are conducting a thorough investigation.
Read Also...:
European leaders pledge to stand by Ukraine after confrontational Oval Office meeting with Trump
03-01, 2025
'Thrown through the air like a rag doll': Hippo attack survivor describes ordeal
03-01, 2025
Young gorilla rescued from aircraft hold recovers at Istanbul zoo
03-01, 2025
Title: Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog were dead for some time before being found
03-01, 2025Officials said on Friday that evidence suggests Hackman may have died as early as February 17, 10 days before the couple's bodies were discovered. This discovery adds more suspicion to the case, and investigators are working to reconstruct the timeline of events.
Here's the latest information we know about the death of the Hollywood legend, who was known for films such as "The French Connection" and "The Conversation." Please note: This article contains details that some readers may find disturbing.
The couple's bodies and one of their dogs were found by police on Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a maintenance worker called emergency services. According to 911 call recordings obtained by the BBC, the emotional caller can be heard telling the dispatcher how he discovered the two bodies. Hackman, 95, was found in a side room near the kitchen, while Arakawa, 65, was found in a bathroom in the Hyde Park Road property. Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the couple appeared to have been "deceased for some time."
A sheriff's detective said that Arakawa's body showed signs of "decomposition" with "mummification" of the hands and feet. Hackman's body "showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with his spouse." One of the couple's German Shepherds was found dead in a bathroom closet near Arakawa. Police have released recordings of the 911 call.
A statement released by police immediately after the deaths were announced did not give a cause of death. Authorities reported no signs of injury but deemed the deaths "suspicious enough" to warrant an investigation and did not rule out homicide. The Santa Fe Sheriff's Office said on Friday that carbon monoxide tests for both Arakawa and Hackman came back negative. A portable heater was located near Arakawa's head, which detectives believe may have been pulled down if she suddenly collapsed. Autopsies and toxicology tests have been requested for Hackman and Arakawa. Authorities said it could take months for those results to be released. Local utility companies found no signs of gas leaks in the area, and the fire department detected no signs of carbon monoxide leaks or poisoning, the search warrant showed. A prescription pill bottle and scattered pills were on the bathroom counter near Arakawa's body. According to the search warrant, the prescription medications found in the house were common thyroid and high blood pressure medications. Hackman was found wearing gray sweatpants, a blue long-sleeved T-shirt, and brown slippers. Sunglasses and a cane were placed next to his body. Detectives suspect the actor suddenly fell.
The search warrant shows their deaths were considered "suspicious enough in nature to warrant a thorough search and investigation" because the worker who called emergency services found the property's front door open. However, detectives observed no signs of forced entry into the home. Nothing inside appeared to be out of place. "There was no indication of a struggle," Sheriff Mendoza said. "There was no indication that anything was missing or disturbed in the house, you know, that would indicate a crime had occurred." Two other healthy dogs were found roaming the property—one inside and one outside.
Authorities said Hackman's pacemaker last recorded activity on February 17, adding that this gives them a good assumption that it was the last day of his life. But police said it is currently unclear who died first—Hackman or Arakawa. The two maintenance workers who discovered the couple (one of whom called emergency services) said the last time they were in contact with the couple was two weeks ago. The two said they sometimes do routine work on the property but rarely see Hackman and Arakawa. They mainly contacted Arakawa by phone and text message.
Hackman's daughter, Leslie Anne Hackman, told the Daily Mail that although her father was old, he was in "pretty good shape" and had not undergone "any major surgeries" in recent months. "He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was still doing it a few times a week," she said. "So he was in good shape." The couple married in 1991, and their marriage was "very good," she added. "I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive," she said. "[Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always focused on his health."
