Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home last week, leaving investigators puzzled about the cause of their deaths.
The couple was discovered by a distressed maintenance worker who alerted authorities the day their bodies were found, as Fox News reports, but uncertainty still surrounds the tragic events.
On the estimated day of Hackman's passing, derived from pacemaker data, the couple resided in a private and secluded lifestyle, rarely seen in public. The Santa Fe Sheriff's Department is currently piecing together events to understand the unexplained circumstances surrounding the couple's demise. Investigators have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, as both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for the substance.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared that no external trauma was found on either body during their autopsies. However, toxicology tests may take up to three months to provide more answers. Several household items, including two cellphones and a planner, were collected as part of the investigation.
An open orange prescription bottle, its contents scattered nearby, was found close to Arakawa, posing further questions for detectives. Sheriff Mendoza highlighted the importance of this evidence in helping medical examiners determine the cause of the deaths. Additionally, various medications were seized from the residence to investigate their involvement.
Understanding the timeline leading to Hackman and Arakawa's deaths is critical for investigators. Sheriff Mendoza elaborated on constructing a "reverse timeline" to piece together their final days and interactions before they were discovered. He noted the difficulty in establishing if they died concurrently.
Leslie Hackman, daughter of the late actor, confirmed that Hackman was in good health for his age, regularly practicing yoga and Pilates. She expressed heartfelt sentiments about her father, describing him as both "genuinely good-hearted" and dearly loved.
Assisting in the investigation, emergency responders, including Fire Chief Brian Moya, confirmed the safety of officials upon arrival at the scene. Moya described the house as large, complicating initial efforts to locate Hackman and Arakawa. Two dogs were found alive at the residence, allowed to move freely due to an unsecured door. Sheriff Mendoza confirmed this unsecured state has been accounted for in the investigation.
The couple's residence, which had been undisturbed for several days, potentially weeks per Sheriff Mendoza, adds to Leslie Hackman's grief. She reminisced that despite their reclusiveness, her loved ones' passing is still a shock.
Hackman and Arakawa lived quietly in New Mexico for years, rarely attending public events since sharing the Golden Globes in 2003. Hackman, admired for his acting accomplishments, now leaves a legacy shadowed by this mysterious end.
The investigation focuses on toxicology tests to unravel what will help determine the couple's demise. Sheriff Mendoza reassures that no immediate evidence suggests foul play and maintains an open investigation. "The manner and cause of death has not been determined," Mendoza emphasized, leaving room for ongoing speculation while awaiting scientific analyses.
Gene Hackman, known for iconic roles and a celebrated career, leaves behind adult children, including daughter Leslie, who recounts his vitality and love for life in recent interactions. She plays a crucial role by offering her testimony and witness accounts to support the ongoing investigation.
As the community awaits further findings, Hackman's and Arakawa's lives symbolize cherished memories of a couple who valued privacy in their intimate setting. In troubling circumstances, Hackman's peaceful lifestyle, paired with Arakawa's in their idyllic setting, is now under examination in hopes of closure for loved ones and fans alike.
