Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home, alongside one of their dogs, and the authorities have so far deemed the circumstances suspicious. The tragic discovery prompted a criminal investigation, though officials found no signs of foul play or external trauma.
Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, has weighed in on the case, providing more insight into the circumstances of the celebrity couple’s deaths. Baden says Hackman’s death was probably caused by cardiac arrest, and Arakawa may have died trying to save her husband.
Gene Hackman’s cause of death amid a tragic chain of events
Hackman, 95, had a pacemaker, which recorded its last event on February 17, likely marking the moment of his fatal cardiac arrest. Baden explained that Hackman suffered from severe heart disease and high blood pressure, making sudden heart failure a probable cause of death. With no evidence of carbon monoxide poisoning or external injuries, his passing appears to have been natural.
Arakawa, 65, may have discovered her husband in distress and rushed to retrieve his medication. Investigators found her in the bathroom with a space heater and an open prescription bottle nearby. Baden speculated that she might have collapsed from a head injury or suffered her own cardiac event due to stress and preexisting health conditions. The scattered pills suggest she was in a state of urgency before her sudden death.
Experts uncover a forensic mystery
One lingering question is the fate of the couple’s dog, which was found deceased in a nearby closet. Early speculation about carbon monoxide exposure was dismissed after tests came back negative. Baden theorized that Hackman’s dog may have died from dehydration after being confined without food or water following their passing.
Authorities are waiting for toxicology reports, which will take months to issue. Even though foul play is not considered, the official cause of death for both Hackman and Arakawa remains under investigation. The incident has caused the public to acknowledge the vulnerability of lonely old people and how important visits are to prevent such incidents.