Gene Hackman Death Investigation: Oscar winner and Ms. Betsy Arakawa were probably dead for over a week before they were found

The entertainment world was shaken when the news that Gene Hackman (95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa (65) were discovered dead on February 26, 2025 in their house in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her bodies were found by maintenance workers, which led to a growing secret that dealt with her death.

The authorities believe that Hackman may have died on February 17, based on the readings of his pacemaker, although the exact cause remains indefinite.

No signs of a foul, but uncertainty remains

Adan Mendoza, Sheriff of Santa Fe County, confirmed that neither Hackman nor Arakawa showed signs of external trauma or a foul. The investigators initially considered carbon monoxide poisoning, but test them. “Both people were tested negatively for carbon monoxide,” said Mendoza and cited reports from the forensic pathologist Dr. Heather Jarrell.

However, the existence scattered pills near Arakawa's body has raised additional questions. The medication included Tylenol, Diltiazem (a high blood pressure medication) and a thyroid treatment. Sheriff Mendoza failed to speculate on her role in the couple's deaths, since toxicological reports are still pending.

Timeline put together

Hackman and Arakawa were last seen in early February. Her daughter Leslie, who lives in California, revealed that she had no longer spoken to them for months, but knew that her father remained physically active and regularly practiced yoga and pilates.

A caretaker in her closed community was worried when the couple had not been seen for some time and called in 911 after discovering her body through a window. When the MPs arrived, Hackman was found near the kitchen, while Arakawa's body was discovered in a nearby bathroom. A late German shepherd was found in the house while two more dogs were still alive.

Ongoing studies and remaining questions

The authorities are working to reconstruct the last days of the couple. The investigators have confiscated mobile phones, a planner and medical records to determine a clearer timeline. Interviews with family members, maintenance staff and security personnel from the closed community are also underway. Medical experts warn that the stab -off control of an exact period of death is a challenge, especially after a longer period of time. “It is not like in television dramas in which we can determine the moment,” said the forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee. However, Hackman's pacemaker data, telephone protocols and evidence from the house can provide further clarity.

A heritage beyond Hollywood

Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, has remembered his iconic roles in the French connection (1971), unforgives (1992) and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). He withdrew from acting in 2004 and spent his later years in Santa Fe to surround a calm, private life with Arakawa, a classic pianist.

The mayor of Santa Fe, Alan Webber, honored Hackman's memory and explained: “He was not just a Hollywood legend – he was an estimated member of our community.”

While the world mourns one of the greatest talents in cinemas, the investigators searched for answers. The outstanding toxicological results can finally show what led to the mysterious death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.