Gene Hackman and Wife's Mysterious Deaths: Forensic Expert Weighs In on 'Unusual' Case

The tragic deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs have left investigators and fans puzzled. A forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden, has weighed in on the case, highlighting the 'unusual' circumstances surrounding the incident.

The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26th, after a maintenance worker made the grim discovery. Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, reportedly passed away about nine days prior. Despite an ongoing criminal investigation, authorities have ruled out visible foul play or external trauma. Preliminary autopsies also confirmed no traces of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dr. Baden suggested that Hackman’s pacemaker could hold crucial clues, noting it recorded its last event—a likely cardiac arrest due to severe heart disease—on February 17th. "The pacemaker tracks the pulse, and when it gets too low, it discharges," Baden explained. Hackman was found collapsed in the mudroom, with a cane and sunglasses nearby, suggesting a sudden fall.

Arakawa’s death, however, adds another layer of mystery. Found in a bathroom with a space heater, scattered pills, and an open prescription bottle, investigators theorize she may have rushed to aid her husband. Baden speculated that she either struck her head during a fall or suffered her own cardiac event under the stress.

Their German Shepherd was also found dead in a nearby closet, likely due to dehydration, while two other dogs on the property were unharmed. The circumstances have prompted authorities to conduct toxicology tests, though results could take months.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza emphasized the investigation’s complexity, noting, "It’s very difficult to determine whether they died simultaneously or one after the other. We’re putting together the timeline and awaiting autopsy results to guide us further." Despite the absence of immediate signs of foul play, Mendoza stated the case remains an open investigation.

Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, largely lived a private life. Their last public appearance was in March 2024, a touching moment outside a Santa Fe restaurant where Hackman leaned on his wife’s arm for support. Their deaths have sparked an outpouring of grief from Hollywood, with stars like Antonio Banderas and Francis Ford Coppola paying tribute to Hackman’s enduring legacy.

While the couple’s deaths may ultimately point to natural causes, the eerie and isolating circumstances surrounding their final moments are a chilling reminder of how fragile and unpredictable life can be.