Authorities confirmed the tragic discovery of the bodies of Gene Hackman, the acclaimed actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A maintenance worker stumbled upon the couple's remains on March 1, which prompted an immediate call to emergency services. Preliminary investigations suggest that the couple had likely passed away around ten days prior, with Gene Hackman’s pacemaker last registering activity on February 17.
Gene Hackman was 95 years old at the time of his death, while his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was 65. The couple had been married since 1991, enjoying a long partnership that saw them support each other through various life challenges. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have raised numerous questions, particularly regarding the cause and timeline of their passing.
Sheriff Mendoza reported that both bodies exhibited signs of "decomposition" and "mummification." He stated, "There was no indication of a struggle," and added that "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." The authorities are currently investigating the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause of death. However, tests for carbon monoxide poisoning returned negative results for both individuals.
The ongoing investigation has led to requests for autopsies and toxicology tests for both Hackman and Arakawa. These results may take several months to be released, further prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the couple’s deaths. While it remains unclear who died first, Gene Hackman's remains showed signs consistent with those found on his spouse.
Leslie Anne Hackman, Gene's daughter, expressed her shock over the loss while emphasizing her father's remarkable health before his death. "He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week," she noted. She also credited Betsy for taking great care of him, stating, "I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive. So he was in good health."
Adding a somber note to the discovery, authorities found the couple's two healthy dogs roaming the property while a German Shepherd was found deceased in a bathroom closet. This raises additional concerns regarding the conditions in which the couple lived during their final days.
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