Gene Hackman Death Investigation: Oscar winner and wife Betsy Arakawa were likely dead for over a week before being found

Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on 26 February 2025. Their bodies were found by maintenance workers, leading to a growing mystery surrounding their deaths.

Authorities believe Hackman may have died on or around 17 February, based on readings from his pacemaker, though the exact cause remains undetermined.

No Signs of Foul Play, But Uncertainty Persists

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that neither Hackman nor Arakawa showed signs of external trauma or foul play. Investigators initially considered carbon monoxide poisoning, but testing ruled it out. “Both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide,” Mendoza stated, citing reports from forensic pathologist Dr. Heather Jarrell.

However, the presence of scattered pills near Arakawa’s body has raised additional questions. The medications included Tylenol, Diltiazem (a high blood pressure medication), and a thyroid treatment. Sheriff Mendoza refrained from speculating on their role in the couple’s deaths, as toxicology reports are still pending.

Piecing Together the Timeline

Hackman and Arakawa were last seen in early February. Their daughter, Leslie, who resides in California, revealed she hadn’t spoken to them for months but knew her father remained physically active, regularly practicing yoga and Pilates.

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