Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Gene Hackman and Wife in New Mexico
The Discovery and Initial Findings
Gene Hackman, 95, known for his roles in films like "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead on February 26th. A worker who came to their home for routine maintenance became concerned when no one answered the door. Neighborhood security then performed a welfare check. Looking through a window, they saw the couple lying unresponsive and called emergency services.
When sheriff's deputies arrived, they found the couple's bodies in separate rooms. Arakawa was found on the bathroom floor, with a space heater nearby. A prescription pill bottle and pills were scattered on the countertop. Hackman was found in the mudroom, with his walking cane and sunglasses close by. Both were fully clothed, and investigators believe they may have fallen suddenly.
Sadly, both bodies showed signs of decomposition, suggesting they had been deceased for some time. Authorities believe they died about nine days before being discovered, around February 17th. This timeline is supported by data from Hackman's pacemaker, which indicated his last heart activity was on that date.
Ongoing Investigation and Unanswered Questions
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Adan Mendoza, is conducting the investigation. They are working with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the New Mexico Department of Health, and the Santa Fe City Fire Department to determine the cause of death.
Initial tests have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. A preliminary autopsy found no signs of external trauma on either body. However, the exact cause of death remains unknown. Officials have said that full autopsy and toxicology results could take three months or longer.
The scene at the Hackman home raised some concerns. In addition to the couple's bodies, a dead dog was found in a bathroom closet. Two other dogs were found alive, one near Arakawa's body and another outside the home.
While there were no signs of forced entry or foul play, the circumstances were considered "suspicious enough" to warrant a thorough investigation. Investigators collected several items from the home, including cell phones, medication bottles, medical records, and a planner. They plan to review the data from the cell phones to try and piece together a timeline of the couple's last days.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa had been living in Santa Fe for many years. They married in 1991, after Hackman's divorce from his first wife, Filipa "Faye" Maltese, with whom he had three children. Arakawa was a classical pianist.
Hackman, a highly respected actor, had largely retired from public life and spent his time painting and writing historical fiction. Santa Fe is known as a haven for artists, and the couple had made it their home.
The authorities have held a joint news conference to share the information they have gathered so far. They emphasized the need for patience as they await the results of the full autopsy and toxicology reports. These tests will be crucial in determining what happened to Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.
The discovery of the bodies, the timeline of their deaths, and the items found at the scene have all contributed to the complexity of the investigation. Officials are working diligently to understand the circumstances surrounding their deaths and provide answers to the public.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities will continue to work methodically to gather all the necessary information. The public is awaiting the final results of the investigation, hoping to understand the tragic events that occurred in the Hackman's Santa Fe home.
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