Pathologist reveals 'complications' affecting Gene Hackman and wife's death investigation

A pathologist has weighed in on the case regarding Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths, revealing that there are "complications".

Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

The couple was found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, but with no clear cause of death, the reason for their passing remains a mystery.

When officers entered the couple’s two-story home around 2PM on February 26, they first discovered Arakawa, 65, lying on her side on the bathroom floor near a countertop.

She was dressed in dark gray sweatpants and a light-colored sweatshirt. A space heater was found near her head, and investigators suspected that she may have knocked it over when she fell.

Pills were scattered across the countertop.

Nearby, the couple’s dog, Zinna, was found dead in a closet about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa’s body.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa. Credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty

Authorities then located Hackman, 95, in the home’s mudroom. The French Connection star was dressed in gray sweatpants and a long-sleeved blue T-shirt.

A pair of sunglasses was found beside him, along with a walking cane. One officer noted that it appeared Hackman had "suddenly fallen".

According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, officers determined there were no signs of forced entry or a break-in. The home appeared to be undisturbed.

Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last activity on February 17 - nine days before the couple was discovered.

Based on the condition of their bodies, experts now believe they likely died at a similar time, despite being found in different rooms.

“Just because both bodies were in similar ways where we, as experts, sad to say that we know a lot about how people die and how long people are dead for – both bodies are in a similar manner that it could be a similar timeframe,” Moya told Fox News Digital.

Initially, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

However, toxicology tests and home inspections ruled this out. The Santa Fe City Fire Department found no gas leaks in the home, aside from a minor, non-lethal leak near a stove burner.

Gene Hackman was found dead at age 95. Credit: Robert Mora/Getty Images

With carbon monoxide no longer a factor, experts say pinpointing a cause of death is now much more challenging.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek explained to PEOPLE why investigators are struggling to determine exactly when and how the couple passed away.

“When you have bodies that are decomposed or haven't been seen, and especially with people who haven't been seen for a while, the first question in terms of trying to figure out what happened is figuring out the time of death,” she said.

While early post-mortem indicators like rigor mortis (stiffening of the body) and algor mortis (body temperature) can provide clues, those become unreliable once decomposition sets in.

“In the early phases after death, we can rely on things like rigor mortis - the stiffening of the body - or algor mortis, which is the body temperature,” she explained. “But once the body’s decomposed, it’s a lot harder to do.”

Investigators are now relying on circumstantial evidence to piece together a timeline - examining things like unopened mail, the last time the couple logged into a device, or even when they were last seen by neighbors.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa during The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty

Mummification has complicated the investigation even further. James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut, said the conditions inside the house could have affected the rate of decomposition.

“You’re not going to be able to tell from the postmortem changes, because once you get to mummification then all bets are off," Gill told PEOPLE.

He noted that factors like temperature, humidity, and even clothing play a role in how fast bodies decompose.

“Was that bathroom drier? What if the heater was on? That certainly could explain some advanced mummification," Gill went on.

"Heat generally accelerates decomposition. What kind of clothing are they wearing? Is he in front of a window with the sun coming in? Or is she in a closed room with no windows? All those factors can play a role in how quickly someone decomposes.”

With no clear cause of death, authorities remain focused on analyzing all available evidence.

So far, no external trauma has been found on either body and natural gas has been ruled out as a factor.

Featured image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty