- Hackman’s pacemaker stopped on 17 February
- Bodies test negative for carbon monoxide
- Final toxicology and autopsy reports remain pending
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza held a press conference yesterday, providing an update on the investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakwa.
In a statement, Mendoza revealed that both Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Read more: Who was Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa?
He also stated that evidence points to Hackman having been dead since 17 February – 10 days before the couples’ bodies were found.
The bodies of Hackman, 95 and Arakawa, 65 and were found by police on Wednesday 26 February at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a maintenance worker called emergency services. Their German Shepherd dog was also found dead at their home.
Read more: Gene Hackman: His most iconic roles
According to Mendoza, the couple appeared to have been “dead for quite a while”. Hackman’s body was found in a side room near the kitchen while Arakawa, 65, was found in a bathroom.
Foul play was not initially suspected, but the couple’s death was later deemed ‘suspicious’ by investigators in a search warrant.
Investigation findings
The worker who called emergency services had found the front door of the property open, which was “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation”, said the Sheriff.
Authorities say that Arakawa’s body “showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.” Hackman’s remains “showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent” with those of his spouse.
Two green cell phones along with Tylenol, a thyroid medication and Diltiazem, which is used to treat high blood pressure was seized from their home, as part of the ongoing investigation. The sheriff stated that they have found no security, inside or outside the residence, that can be collected to help determine a timeline. Authorities will continue to conduct interviews with workers within the couple’s gated community.
Hackman was discovered wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve t-shirt and brown slippers. A pair of sunglasses and a walking cane were also found next to his body, leading detectives to suspect that maybe the actor had suffered a sudden fall.
“There was no indication of a struggle,” said Mendoza. “There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed, you know, that would be indication that there was a crime that had occurred.”
Hackman’s pacemaker last registered activity on 17 February and authorities say this gives them a good assumption that it was his last day of life. However, it remains unclear who died first – Hackman or Arakawa.
Toxicology tests
No gas leaks were found in the home by the fire department, which could’ve caused carbon monoxide poisoning. The toxicology findings have further confirmed that determination.
However, poisoning of this sort doesn’t always show up in initial tests and final toxicology and autopsy reports remain pending.
Mendoza stated that the results could take months, adding “That is a challenge because they were very private individuals,”.
Gene Hackman‘s daughter, Leslie Anne Hackman told The Daily Mail, “Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition…he liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health”.
She also praised Arakawa for her care and devotion to her Dad, saying “I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive. [Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health. So I am appreciative to her for that, and I’m very saddened by her passing.”
