Gene Hackman Case: New Details Emerge in Wife’s Death, Restraining Order Issued
The investigation into the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, has taken several unexpected turns, prompting authorities to revisit timelines and seek clarity surrounding the circumstances of their passing. Recent revelations stemming from cellphone records have cast doubt on the initial belief regarding the date of Betsy Hackman’s death, while a temporary restraining order has been issued to protect the privacy of the Hackman family.
According to the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department, preliminary cellphone records indicate that Betsy Arakawa-Hackman may not have died on February 11, as was originally presumed. This discovery has led investigators to reassess the timeline of events leading up to her death and to explore potential discrepancies in the information previously available.
While Betsy Hackman’s autopsy determined the manner of death as natural, toxicology results remain pending, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. Authorities had initially believed that she passed away on or around February 11. However, the cellphone records have challenged this assumption and prompted further scrutiny.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office investigation revealed that the last known activity on Mrs. Hackman’s phone was on February 11, 2025, Fox News Digital reported. However, new information has surfaced indicating that Mrs. Hackman’s phone was used on the morning of February 12 to contact Cloudberry Health, a medical center in Santa Fe.
Officials have confirmed that multiple calls were made to the medical center on February 12. A total of three calls were placed that morning, all directed to Cloudberry Health. Additionally, an incoming call from the same medical center was received by Mrs. Hackman’s phone that afternoon, although it appeared as a missed call.
These new findings have raised questions about the sequence of events leading up to Betsy Hackman’s death and have prompted investigators to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding her interactions with the medical center. The content of the calls, the purpose of the communication, and the potential implications for the timeline of her death are all areas of focus for the ongoing investigation.
In a parallel development, the Hackman estate was granted a temporary restraining order against the release of records pertaining to the deaths of Gene and Betsy Hackman. The order, issued on Monday, aims to protect the privacy of the family and prevent the dissemination of sensitive information.
The restraining order specifically prohibits the Office of the Medical Investigator and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, along with their agents, assigns, and employees, from disclosing any photographs or videos containing images of the bodies of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa-Hackman. The order also extends to images of the interior of the Hackman’s residence and any lapel video footage that includes the Hackman’s bodies or images of deceased animals found at the residence.
Furthermore, the Office of the Medical Investigator is temporarily restrained from releasing the autopsy and death reports related to the Hackman’s deaths. A hearing has been scheduled for March 31 to address the matter further.
The temporary restraining order underscores the Hackman family’s desire to maintain their privacy during this difficult time and to prevent the public disclosure of potentially distressing or sensitive information related to the deaths of Gene and Betsy Hackman.
Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza addressed the media during a recent news conference, confirming that detectives have made significant progress in answering many of the outstanding questions in the Hackman case. However, he emphasized that authorities are still awaiting specific data to tie up any loose ends and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Sheriff Mendoza acknowledged the complexities of the investigation and the need for thoroughness in gathering and analyzing all available evidence. He reiterated the commitment of the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department to conducting a complete and impartial investigation to provide clarity and closure to the Hackman family and the public.
In separate statements, New Mexico officials confirmed that Gene Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease identified as a significant contributing factor. It is believed that he was alone in the home for approximately one week before his death, which is estimated to have occurred around February 18, based on the last recorded activity on his pacemaker.
The New Mexico Department of Health revealed that Betsy Hackman’s cause of death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease transmitted from animals to humans and commonly found in rodents. Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell explained that hantavirus is characterized by flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, cough, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, which can progress to shortness of breath and cardiac or lung failure.
The investigation into the deaths of Gene and Betsy Hackman continues to unfold, with authorities working to reconcile discrepancies in the timeline of events and gather all relevant information. The combination of cellphone records, autopsy results, toxicology reports, and witness statements will play a crucial role in piecing together the full picture of what transpired in the days and weeks leading up to their deaths.
As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on providing accurate and transparent information to the public while respecting the privacy of the Hackman family during this difficult time. The upcoming hearing on the temporary restraining order will provide an opportunity to further address the concerns regarding the release of sensitive records and to balance the public interest in transparency with the family’s right to privacy.
