Gene Hackman's Pacemaker Could Have Sounded Alarm on 'Urgent' Event, Cardiologist Explains

Gene Hackman's pacemaker had the potential to alert his physician in case of an "urgent" medical event, according to Dr. Christopher Davis, a cardiologist from Reveal Vitality. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Davis explained how modern pacemakers are equipped with remote monitoring systems capable of transmitting critical health data to a patient's doctor.

"If the patient has a home monitor, these pacemakers can be monitored remotely," Davis said. "For urgent events, the monitor transmits data to the pacemaker company’s portal, which then sends it to the patient’s physician." This kind of technology might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s real—and in some cases, life-saving.

The Mayo Clinic describes a pacemaker as a "small, battery-powered device that prevents the heart from beating too slowly." The device is surgically placed under the skin near the collarbone. In Hackman's case, the last event recorded by his pacemaker was on February 17, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza.

When asked if this date—nine days before Hackman's body was discovered—could signify his day of death, Mendoza called it a "very good assumption." Medical experts, including the pathologist involved, seem to agree. Mendoza also confirmed that Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, tested negative for carbon monoxide, eliminating one possible cause of death.

The investigation into the deaths of Hackman and his wife has been anything but straightforward. Detectives are working backward, piecing together data from cellphones, text messages, and photos to establish a timeline. Sheriff Mendoza admitted this reverse approach is unusual, but necessary in a case as complex as this.

The couple, along with one of their dogs, was found deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. Autopsies revealed no external trauma, and toxicology tests are still pending. Investigators are also working to determine whether the two died simultaneously or in close succession, a challenging task given the private nature of their lives.

Dr. Davis noted that not all pacemaker events are life-threatening. "Some could simply indicate a pacemaker battery running low," he said, explaining that non-emergent events are typically logged for periodic review during routine checkups.

Among the items collected from the Hackman home were two cellphones, a 2025 planner, and medications for thyroid and blood pressure management. These seemingly mundane details might hold clues for investigators as they try to unravel what led to the deaths of the Oscar-winning actor and his wife.

The couple had last been photographed together on March 28, 2024, in a tender moment where Hackman leaned on his wife’s arm for support. Despite their fame, they were known for their fiercely private lives, making this investigation an even more puzzling endeavor.