Santa Fe Officials Provide Details on the Suspicious Deaths of Gene Hackman and His Wife, Betsy Arakawa
Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home under circumstances authorities have deemed "suspicious." Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza and Santa Fe police chief Brian Moya provided updates on the ongoing investigation, suggesting the couple may have been deceased for several weeks before their bodies were discovered on Wednesday.
Sheriff Mendoza stated, "Based on the condition of the bodies and other evidence at the scene, it appears they may have been dead for several days or possibly weeks." He made the comments during an interview with Today when asked about the timeline of their deaths.
Deaths Deemed "Suspicious" with Signs of Mummification
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, were found together in their sprawling Santa Fe residence. The sheriff noted that both bodies showed signs of mummification, indicating decomposition over an extended period. When asked whether the couple died simultaneously or separately, Mendoza replied, "It’s difficult to determine. It’s likely they passed around the same time."
Prescription Medication Found at the Scene
A prescription pill bottle was found near Arakawa’s body, with tablets scattered on a table. Sheriff Mendoza confirmed the bottle was collected as evidence but declined to speculate on its potential connection to the deaths. "This is significant evidence, and it will be analyzed by the medical investigator," he said.
Autopsy and Toxicology Reports Pending
The autopsies for both Hackman and Arakawa revealed no signs of external trauma. Toxicology tests and carbon monoxide screenings were ordered, as the cause and manner of death remain undetermined. Sheriff Mendoza acknowledged that the toxicology report could take up to three months or longer to complete, depending on lab processing times.
Mendoza also noted that the couple lived a very private life, which has made establishing a timeline of their final days challenging. "We’re trying to piece together when they were last seen or heard from, but they were extremely private individuals," he said.
Scene of the Incident
The couple’s home, described as "very large," took investigators significant time to fully process. Mendoza confirmed that several doors were found unlocked, with one ajar at the back of the residence. Two dogs, who survived the incident, were found at the home. Authorities are unsure whether the doors were opened by emergency responders or if they were already unlocked.
Officials also investigated the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak, as the home uses natural gas. However, no active leaks were detected upon arrival or during subsequent searches.
Hollywood Mourns Hackman’s Passing
Hackman’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from Hollywood celebrities, including Antonio Banderas, Gary Sinise, and Francis Ford Coppola, who remembered the Oscar-winning actor for his iconic roles and contributions to cinema.
911 Call Reveals Urgency
A 911 call obtained by Fox News captured a maintenance worker frantically urging authorities to respond to the residence after discovering the bodies. The worker’s distress underscored the shocking nature of the discovery.
Hackman’s Daughter Reflects on His Legacy
Hackman’s daughter, Leslie, shared that her father was in good health despite his age, regularly practicing yoga and Pilates. She acknowledged that she hadn’t seen him in recent years due to his limited travel but maintained a close relationship with him. "We stayed in touch, and I loved him dearly. He was a really good man," she said.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are treating the case as a suspicious death but have found no immediate evidence of foul play. Sheriff Mendoza emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with autopsy and toxicology results expected to provide critical insights.
As the world mourns the loss of a Hollywood legend, questions surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remain unanswered, leaving investigators and fans alike awaiting further details.
Writer: Stephanie Giang-Paunon
Contact: stephanie.gang@fox.com
Twitter: @sgaangpaunon
