New Details on the Deaths of Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa: Why They Raise ‘Suspicious’ Concerns for Investigation | Ents & Arts News

Hollywood icon Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in their New Mexico residence on Wednesday, alongside one of their pet dogs.

Authorities have indicated that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two-time Academy Award winner, aged 95, and his 63-year-old wife are “suspicious enough to warrant an extensive investigation.”

Here’s what we know up to this point.

When were they discovered?

A maintenance worker contacted emergency services at approximately 1:45 PM local time after noticing the bodies during a routine maintenance visit, as detailed in a search warrant from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.

The worker reported that the front door of the residence was open upon his arrival and that he could see Arakawa’s body through a window.

In a heartfelt 911 call, now available for public listening, the unnamed maintenance worker can be heard in distress, repeatedly saying “damn” as he describes seeing Arakawa’s body “not moving” from outside.

He urges the 911 operator to “send someone up here quickly” while noting that the house was locked.

Two deputies arrived at the scene and entered the home, as stated in the warrant; it was noted that there were no indications of forced entry.

Where were the bodies located?

The couple’s bodies, who wed in 1991, were found in different rooms, according to authorities.

Officers first discovered Arakawa in the bathroom near the entrance of the home, as stated by the sheriff’s office.

Authorities stated she was found on the floor next to a space heater, with scattered pills and an open prescription bottle on a countertop nearby.

A German Shepherd was discovered deceased in a bathroom closet adjacent to Arakawa, and two healthy dogs were also present near the bodies.

Hackman was located in a mudroom adjacent to the kitchen.

Officials believe the couple had been deceased for a period before their discovery.

Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza informed Sky News’ U.S. affiliate NBC News that the couple could have been dead for “several days, possibly even up to a couple of weeks” prior to being found.

He added that it was “difficult to ascertain” if the couple passed away simultaneously.

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What we know about their cause of death

Official results regarding post-mortem examinations and toxicology tests are still pending, and the officials have yet to establish the manner and cause of death.

Initial findings from medical investigations indicate that the couple exhibited “no external trauma.”

After discovering the couple, officers searched the remainder of the property and found nothing else “out of place,” according to the warrant. All other structures and the garage were securely locked, and there was no indication that the house had been “ransacked or items had been removed.”

Additionally, there were no signs of a gas leak.

The actor’s daughter suggested that they might have fallen victim to carbon monoxide poisoning; however, the exact cause of death remains uncertain. Elizabeth Jean Hackman mentioned to TMZ that the family was unsure but speculated that the couple could have succumbed to toxic fumes.

An investigator has stated that victims of gas leaks or carbon monoxide exposure may not exhibit immediate signs of poisoning, but local utility crews examined the gas lines in and around the home and found no issues, the warrant explained.

In a statement provided to Sky News, the sheriff’s office said: “We do not suspect foul play in their deaths; however, the precise cause of death has yet to be determined.”

Why is the situation deemed ‘suspicious enough’ for further investigation?

The sheriff’s office clarified the reasoning behind labeling the deaths as “suspicious enough” to necessitate an investigation.

The warrant highlighted the open front door of the residence, the presence of two living dogs while another was found dead, and the space heater located near Arakawa’s head as contributing factors to the suspicion, as well as the pills that were scattered on the counter.

Earlier in the warrant, it was noted that she may have accidentally knocked over the heater as she fell.

Sheriff Mendoza emphasized that the pills and prescription bottle were “critical evidence,” and that other medications found in the home raised “some concerns.”

Another peculiarity noted was that the couple was found in separate rooms without an obvious indication of a gas leak.

Sheriff Mendoza confirmed that investigators have yet to rule any possibilities out.

What are the next steps?

Authorities are currently awaiting the results of a toxicology report, which may take up to three months or more, Sheriff Mendoza stated.

In the meantime, they are working to establish a timeline for the couple’s last weeks, seeking to determine when they were last seen and in contact with others, and whether they died simultaneously.

The sheriff remarked that the investigation is still “in its early days,” and that obtaining clear answers will require time and patience.