The shocking deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, continue to baffle investigators.
The couple was found late last month in their Santa Fe home after pest-control workers raised concerns about not being able to contact them. A neighborhood security officer made the grim discovery.
Authorities ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, but speculation swirls about the cause. Some have suggested a possible “companion suicide,” though an expert now dismisses that theory.
Medical Examiner Questions Suicide Theory
James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner for Connecticut, told People that dual suicides usually involve couples found together in bed. Hackman, 95, was discovered in the mudroom with his cane and sunglasses nearby, while Arakawa, 65, was found in the bathroom, with prescription pills scattered on the counter.
“The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that’s less likely,” Gill explained.
Signs of Decomposition Add to the Mystery
Reports indicate the couple had been dead for several days before being found. Hackman’s pacemaker was last registered as active on February 17, suggesting he may have died that day. Both bodies showed signs of decomposition and partial mummification.
Adding to the eerie scene, one of their three dogs was found dead in a locked crate, while the other two were still alive. Investigators initially suspected a gas leak, but it was later determined that the dog likely died from lack of food and water.
Autopsies Completed, but Questions Remain
Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor, had retired from Hollywood in 2004 and lived a quiet life in Santa Fe. Fans have speculated about his final years, but little was known about his private life with Arakawa.
Autopsies have been completed, but authorities are still awaiting toxicology reports. For now, the cause of death remains a mystery, leaving fans and investigators searching for answers.
