- Minor gas leak found in Gene Hackman’s home but nothing “significant”
- Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were both found dead in late February
- The investigation surrounding their deaths continues
As the Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman death investigation continues, a gas company says it has found a minor gas leak in the couple’s home.
However, they quickly assured people that “no significant findings” were discovered. They also confirmed this is unlikely to be the reason behind the pair’s sudden and mysterious passings.
Read more: Who was Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa?
Hollywood icon Hackman and his classical pianist wife Arakawa were found dead at their Sante Fe home in late February. Hackman was 95-years-old and Arakawa was 65. A family dog was also found dead at the scene. All three are presumed to have passed away some time before their bodies were discovered.
Variety reports that workers from a New Mexico gas company found a gas leak at the star’s residence but it was “minuscule”.
It originated from one of actor’s stove burners and only emitted 0.33% gas into the air in Hackman’s home. According to experts, this isn’t potent enough to be considered fatal.
“minuscule” gas leak found
No evidence of a carbon monoxide leak was found. However, experts did discover what they consider “red tag” code violations linked to water heaters and fireplace gas log lighters. That said, neither of these are believed to have contributed to Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths.
Read more: Gene Hackman death: Conflicting health claims swirl
This matches up with recent reports that both Hackman and his wife had no traces of Carbon Monoxide in their bodies. Additionally, the Sante Fe Sheriff’s office has confirmed that gas leaks are “not believed to be a factor” related to these deaths.
What was Gene Hackman’s cause of death?
At the moment, no one really knows what the cause of death was for Hackman, Arakawa and the family dog. However, as the investigation intensifies, we’re starting to get a better picture of the events leading up to their passing.
The bodies were discovered on Wednesday 26 February by maintenance workers at Hackman’s Sante Fe property. Hackman was found near the kitchen in a mud room, while Arakawa was located on the bathroom floor.
Pills were also discovered in bathroom area although no connection has been made between these and the pair’s passing. Authorities have also confirmed that Hackman’s pacemaker is believed to have stopped working around 10 days prior to his body being found.
Conflicting health reports surround Gene Hackman death
In the days since this news broke, friends and family members have spoken out about the star’s final days with his wife. However, these seem to paint conflicting pictures.
Family friend Doug Lanham told TMZ that Arakawa took great care of Hackman and that he appeared to be in relatively good health.
By contrast, Hackman’s daughter Leslie Ann Hackman has told media that she had lost contact with her father in the months leading up to his death.
