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Investigation Continues into the Deaths of Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa

The circumstances surrounding the recent deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs at their Santa Fe home remain under investigation, with authorities working to piece together a timeline of events leading up to the tragic discovery. While initial assessments ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning and obvious signs of foul play, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department has maintained an open mind, pending the results of toxicology reports and further investigation. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden has offered a potential scenario based on available evidence, suggesting a tragic accident stemming from Hackman’s pre-existing heart condition.

The investigation was launched after the bodies of Hackman, 94, Arakawa, 65, and their deceased dog were found at their Santa Fe estate on Wednesday. The discovery was made by a maintenance worker, who subsequently contacted 911. Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that preliminary autopsies revealed no external trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa, and both tested negative for carbon monoxide exposure, a factor that initially raised concerns. However, the timing of Hackman’s death, estimated to be approximately nine days prior to the discovery, and the unusual circumstances prompted a deeper look into the events.

One crucial element in the investigation is Hackman’s pacemaker. Sheriff Mendoza revealed that the device recorded an event on February 17, potentially a cardiac arrest triggered by an abnormal pulse rate. Dr. Baden, during an appearance on Fox Report, elaborated on the significance of this information. He explained that pacemakers meticulously track a patient’s pulse, and when it dips below a critical threshold, the device delivers an electrical discharge to regulate the heartbeat. This event, recorded by the pacemaker, could indicate that Hackman suffered a cardiac arrest on February 17, a pivotal moment in the unfolding tragedy.

Baden suggested that Hackman, who suffered from severe heart disease, coronary artery disease, and likely high blood pressure, may have collapsed in the mudroom of his home after experiencing the cardiac event. A search warrant affidavit released by the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office corroborated this, stating that Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom, with a walking cane and sunglasses nearby, suggesting he may have suddenly fallen.

The location of Arakawa’s body adds another layer of complexity to the investigation. She was found in a bathroom with a space heater nearby, and an open prescription bottle containing pills, including thyroid medication, blood pressure medication, and Tylenol, was found on a countertop. Baden theorizes that Arakawa may have discovered her husband collapsed in the mudroom and, in a state of distress, rushed to the bathroom to retrieve his blood pressure medication. During this frantic attempt to help her husband, she may have fallen, knocking over the space heater and scattering the pills.

Baden proposed two possible scenarios for Arakawa’s death. She may have struck her head during the fall, resulting in an internal brain injury not immediately visible externally. Alternatively, at 65, Arakawa may have also suffered from underlying heart conditions, and the emotional stress and exertion of trying to assist her husband could have triggered a fatal cardiac event. Baden suggested that the former scenario, a head injury, was the more probable explanation.

The death of the couple’s German Shepherd, found in a closet of the bathroom about 10-15 feet from Arakawa, initially raised concerns about possible environmental factors like carbon monoxide. However, Baden noted that the dog was apparently confined to a kennel and likely died from dehydration and lack of water during the nine-day period following Hackman’s death. Two other healthy dogs were found on the property, one inside the bathroom near Arakawa and the other outside the residence.

The timeline established by the investigators points to the possibility that no emergency call was made after Hackman’s initial cardiac event because Arakawa was incapacitated or unable to reach a phone. The maintenance worker’s discovery of the bodies on February 26, nine days after the recorded pacemaker event, underscores the isolation of the couple and the potential for a series of tragic events to unfold without intervention.

Sheriff Mendoza emphasized the importance of the medication found at the scene, stating that it was collected and passed on to the medical investigator to assist in determining the cause of death. He acknowledged that the medications were a "concern" and would be thoroughly examined.

When asked whether Hackman and Arakawa died simultaneously or whether one died before the other, Mendoza stated that it would be difficult to determine the precise sequence of events, suggesting that the deaths occurred in relatively close proximity. He also revealed that toxicology tests had been ordered for both Hackman and Arakawa to rule out any other contributing factors and to ascertain the exact cause of death. However, the results of these tests could take up to three months, or even longer, depending on the workload of the laboratory.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Sheriff Mendoza expressed confidence that there was no evidence of foul play, based on the lack of any obvious signs of a crime. Nevertheless, he stressed that all possibilities remained open until the autopsy and toxicology reports were completed and the full timeline of events was established.

The deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa have deeply saddened the Hollywood community and fans worldwide. Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner and one of the most respected actors of his generation, had largely retired from public life in recent years. His last public appearance with Arakawa was in March 2024, when they were photographed in Santa Fe. While the investigation continues, the possibility of a tragic accident stemming from Hackman’s health issues remains a leading theory, offering a somber explanation for the loss of two lives in the close-knit Santa Fe community. The completed investigation is eagerly anticipated.