Police share major update on Gene Hackman and his wife's unexplained deaths

Police have shared an update regarding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

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

The pair were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home last month in a case that has raised more questions than answers.

The 95-year-old French Connection star and his 65-year-old wife, a classical pianist, were discovered in separate rooms of their home on February 26.

Their pet dog, Zinna, was also found dead at the scene.

While early reports suggested no foul play, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, initially pointed to carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause.

However, toxicology tests and inspections by the Santa Fe City Fire Department ruled out any carbon monoxide leaks in the home.

New Mexico Gas Company later confirmed there were “no significant findings” related to gas leaks, aside from a minor one around a stove burner, which was determined to be non-lethal.

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

Now, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya disclosed a key finding that Hackman’s pacemaker had recorded its last activity on February 17, indicating that the couple may have died nine days before they were discovered.

He also revealed that it is likely that the pair both died at a similar time, despite being in different rooms, due to the condition their bodies were in when found.

“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,” he told Fox News Digital.

Authorities have stated that Hackman was found in the mudroom, near his sunglasses and walking cane, while Arakawa was discovered in a bathroom next to a space heater.

Officers noted the presence of various pills in the bathroom, with some scattered on the counter, a detail they deemed “suspicious enough” to warrant further investigation.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that maintenance workers were the ones who discovered the couple, and their bodies had already entered a partial mummification state, indicating they had been deceased for several days.

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

As the investigation continues, those closest to Hackman and Arakawa have painted conflicting pictures of the actor’s health in his final months.

Daniel and Barbara Lenihan, longtime friends of the couple, along with their son Aaron, shared their accounts with PEOPLE.

Daniel described Hackman as “essentially kind of homebound,” while Barbara noted he had stopped riding his bike through the neighborhood about a year ago. She stated that his health had been “really slipping” in the last couple of months.

Aaron added: “Betsy tried to keep him kind of active and engaged,” explaining that the Unforgiven star regularly did puzzles and participated in Zoom yoga sessions as part of his routine. “She was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible.”

Despite these accounts, Hackman’s daughter Leslie Anne contradicted the claims, telling TMZ that her father had been “in very good physical condition” before his passing.

“He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health,” she said.

Featured image credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty