Investigators determined the final moments of Gene Hackman’s life through pacemaker data. However, the official cause of death for the famous couple remains unclear.
During a press conference on February 28, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that experts had examined Gene Hackman’s implanted pacemaker to determine when his heart last beat. Data showed that the Hollywood legend’s heart last moved on February 17.
Pathologists believe that was the last day of Hackman’s life, the sheriff said. However, authorities still need to investigate further.
Mendoza also revealed that both victims tested negative for carbon monoxide, which means gas poisoning was not the cause of death for the couple of 34 years. However, investigators have not yet been able to name exactly what killed Mr. and Mrs. Hackman.
The sheriff added that it is not clear whether Mr. Hackman or his wife Betsy Arakawa died first because the timeline needs to be sorted out.
Earlier, a press release from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said that Hackman (95), Arakawa (64) and one of their three dogs were found dead inside their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at around 1:45 p.m. on February 26 (local time).
“An individual came to maintain the residence. This individual was concerned because he had not received a response from the homeowner and contacted the neighborhood security force to conduct an inspection. “Security arrived and found Hackman and Arakawa lying motionless on the ground through a window, so they called 911,” the press release reads.
According to police, the front door was unlocked, but there was no sign of foul play.
Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for the school’s police department told Page Six that although no foul play was found at the scene, investigators were not ruling out the possibility because the deaths appeared suspicious.
According to the spokesperson, investigators have interviewed at least one maintenance worker, but no suspects have been named.
On the Today show, Chief Mendoza said it was possible that Hackman and Arakawa had been dead for several days to several weeks based on the condition of the bodies.
Specifically, Arakawa’s body had begun to decompose, with “mummification” of the hands and feet (drying out) and swelling on the face. She was lying on the bathroom floor with pills scattered on the kitchen counter.
CNN reported that police found a variety of medications in Hackman’s home, including Tylenol (for thyroid treatment) and Diltiazem (for high blood pressure or chest pain).
Meanwhile, at a press conference, Mr. Mendoza said that due to HIPAA (personal data protection) laws, police could not release specific information about the drugs found on the kitchen counter. He also confirmed that investigators had brought two cell phones to the station, but needed to coordinate with other agencies to access them.
Little is known about the condition of Hackman’s body, other than that he was found lying on the ground in a private room near the kitchen. Police initially suspect he fell because his sunglasses were next to his body.
Preliminary autopsy results revealed no signs of external trauma on either victim. Full autopsies are expected in a few weeks.
Certified forensic pathologist Priya Banerjee stressed to Page Six that it is too early to determine a cause of death because of too many variables. She noted that Arakawa’s body may have decomposed due to the temperature inside the home.
The researcher also pointed out that the dead dog was in a crate or crate in a closet, so dehydration was likely. Meanwhile, the other two dogs were free to roam in large spaces and were unharmed.
Mendoza said Santa Fe Animal Control has been working with Hackman and Arakawa’s relatives to ensure the safety of the two surviving dogs.
Hackman’s youngest daughter, Leslie, revealed on February 27 that she had not spoken to her father in months. She insisted that her father was healthy for his age.
According to the family, the Bonnie and Clyde actor was in good health, regularly practiced yoga and pilates, and was on a strict diet by his wife.
Keiko, Arakawa’s mother’s housekeeper, also told the Daily Mail that the classical pianist had not called her 91-year-old mother, Yoshie Feaster, who suffers from dementia, since October 2024.
Feaster was informed of her daughter’s death, but her illness left her unable to remember anything. Her mother was Arakawa’s only living relative.
