Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, may have been deceased in their Santa Fe home for several days, possibly up to two weeks, before being found on Wednesday. The local sheriff, Adan Mendoza, shared that piecing together the timeline of their deaths has been challenging due to the couple’s private lifestyle.
After the news broke, the Santa Fe medical examiner conducted autopsies and found no signs of external trauma. The couple was discovered alongside one of their dogs in their home within a gated community. Sheriff Mendoza appeared on NBC’s Today to discuss the ongoing investigation.
According to Mendoza, establishing a timeline is tricky because Hackman and Arakawa kept to themselves. “We’re trying to figure out when they were last seen or heard from,” he noted. Evidence suggests they could have passed away several days prior to their discovery.
On Friday, the sheriff’s office disclosed items taken from their home during a search. This included two cell phones, prescription medications, and a monthly planner for 2025.
New details indicate that the bodies may have been in the home longer than first thought, with indications of decomposition found. Hackman appeared to have collapsed in a mud room, while Arakawa was found in a bathroom area, with pills scattered nearby. The specific medications found were not disclosed.
While foul play is not suspected, the sheriff’s office remains open to all possibilities as the investigation continues. Autopsy results showed no external injuries, but tests for carbon monoxide and toxic substances are pending. The local gas company reported no immediate issues with the home’s gas lines, yet this does not rule out a past gas leak.
Investigators have noted that the couple’s reclusive nature complicates establishing their routines or last days together. They were last photographed on March 28 during a dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. The last public event they attended was the 2003 Golden Globes.
Further details will emerge from a comprehensive autopsy, and toxicology results could take up to three months to finalize, according to Mendoza.
Gene Hackman, famous for playing tough roles, starred in classic films like The French Connection and Unforgiven. He stepped back from acting in his 70s and enjoyed a quieter life in Santa Fe with Arakawa, whom he married in 1991. Arakawa, a private individual with no online presence, was reportedly born in Hawaii. She became a crucial support for Hackman, especially in his writing endeavors.
The couple’s sudden passing has left many questions unanswered, but the investigation is ongoing as officials look for clarity on the timeline of their lives and deaths.
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Source linkBetsy Arakawa,Gene Hackman,Santa Fe
