Gene Hackman, the 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 28. Authorities believe Hackman passed away about nine days before their bodies were discovered.
The last signal from his pacemaker was on February 17, which experts say is most likely the day he died. The cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet, but authorities have already ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning and foul play.
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Gene Hackman’s death is discovered with his wife’s
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s bodies were found in different rooms of their home. Both were found dead on Wednesday, February 28, which left a lot of questions about what happened leading up to that moment.
The last signal from Hackman’s pacemaker indicates his death date
The last signal from 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor’s pacemaker was from February 17 according to a pathologist’s study, indicating that was his last day of life, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told a press conference.
Authorities rule out carbon monoxide poisoning
Sheriff Mendoza mentioned that the pathologist has ruled out the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning causing their deaths. Both Hackman and Arakawa were found in different rooms, but it looks like that’s not a factor here.
Foul play is ruled out by the sheriff
The investigation into the deaths has concluded that there is no evidence of foul play. Sheriff Mendoza reiterated this point in a press conference, confirming that both deaths were not caused by any external forces or criminal activity.
Details from the discovery of the bodies
When the bodies were found, a door at the back of the house was left slightly open. Two of the couple’s dogs were seen walking in and out of the house, but one dog was sadly found dead in a crate next to where Arakawa was lying.
There’s a 911 call from the neighborhood’s caretaker, where he tells the dispatcher, “I think I’ve found two dead people in the house.”
You can hear him say “Damn, damn, damn” after seeing Arakawa through the bathroom window. He adds, “I see them, she’s lying down on the floor.” It must’ve been a pretty tough situation for him to handle.
Hackman’s distinguished career in film
Hackman had an incredible career that lasted decades. With his distinct raspy voice, he appeared in more than 80 films, TV shows, and even theater productions starting in the early 1960s.
He first got an Oscar nomination for Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, and later won Best Actor in 1972 for The French Connection.
He even picked up a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Unforgiven in 1993. Quite a career, right?
Rest easy, legend.
