On February 26, 2025, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office conducted a welfare check at the residence of esteemed actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, following concerns from neighbors and a maintenance worker who had been unable to reach them. Upon entry, authorities discovered both individuals deceased, with Hackman’s body located in the foyer and Arakawa’s in a bathroom. One of their three dogs was also found dead, while the other two survived.
Initial observations indicated no signs of forced entry or external trauma on either body. The couple’s home was found with a door ajar, but there was no evidence of a struggle or theft. Arakawa was discovered near a portable heater, with prescription medications scattered nearby, suggesting she may have been in the midst of a routine activity.
Early autopsy results confirmed the absence of external injuries, and carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out as a cause of death. However, a “minuscule” gas leak was detected, though it was deemed insufficient to be fatal.
Toxicology reports are pending to determine if substances played a role in their deaths.
Data retrieved from Hackman’s pacemaker indicated that his heart ceased functioning on February 17, suggesting that the couple had been deceased for approximately nine days before discovery. This aligns with the advanced state of decomposition observed, which included signs of natural mummification, complicating precise determination of the time and cause of death.
Chief Medical Examiner James Gill proposed a theory involving stress-induced cardiomyopathy, commonly known as “Broken Heart Syndrome.” This condition can occur following intense emotional stress, such as discovering a loved one’s death, leading to sudden cardiac events. Given Hackman’s known history of heart disease and presence of a pacemaker, it’s plausible he experienced a fatal cardiac event. Subsequently, Arakawa, upon finding her husband, may have suffered a similar stress-induced response, leading to her death.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden offered an alternative perspective, suggesting that Hackman may have succumbed to cardiac arrest, possibly collapsing in the foyer. Arakawa, upon discovering him, might have experienced a sudden medical event, such as a head injury or a stress-induced cardiac issue, especially considering the prescription pills found nearby.
The presence of their deceased dog near Arakawa adds another layer of complexity to the investigation. While the exact cause of the dog’s death remains undetermined, it may provide additional insights into the timeline and circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances, awaiting comprehensive toxicology results and further forensic analysis to ascertain the definitive causes of death. The absence of external trauma, combined with the couple’s medical histories and the environmental factors observed, suggests natural causes potentially exacerbated by acute stress responses. However, until all investigative avenues are thoroughly explored, the exact sequence of events leading to the tragic loss of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa remains a subject of ongoing inquiry.