Officers have issued an update relating to Gene Hackman death, providing a potential ‘s**cide’ theory.
The legendary actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were tragically found dead alongside their German Shepherd dog.
Their bodies were discovered in their New Mexico residence after deputies were called to the home on February 26.
The couple was found deceased by a maintenance worker, who noted the front door had been left open.
According to law enforcement in Santa Fe, New Mexico, there were no signs of a break-in or disturbance inside the home.
Sheriff Mendoza stated, “There was no indication of a struggle. Nothing appeared to be missing or disturbed—nothing that would suggest a crime had occurred.”
While police found no immediate evidence of foul play, the circumstances surrounding their deaths were considered “suspicious enough” to warrant further investigation.
The 95-year-old Unforgiven star was discovered in a side room near the kitchen, while his wife, Arakawa, 65, was found in a bathroom.
The sheriff remarked that the couple appeared to have been deceased for some time, with Arakawa’s body showing signs of “decomposition” and “mummification” on her hands and feet.
Reports also indicated that the two-time Oscar-winning actor’s body displayed “obvious signs of death, similar and consistent” with those of his wife.
Their dog was found dead in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, though officers confirmed that two other dogs were found alive on the property.
Law enforcement officials have proposed several theories regarding what may have transpired inside the home on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park.
Initial theories suggested that the couple may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, a local utility company confirmed there were no gas leaks in the area, and the fire department found no evidence of such a cause.
An investigator updated the press, stating, “There is no immediate sign of foul play, although the absence of carbon monoxide has overturned the initial theories regarding their deaths.”
Blood tests confirmed that carbon monoxide was not present in their bodies, and Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last data on February 17th.
A new theory emerged when investigators revealed that Arakawa was found collapsed in the bathroom, surrounded by pills, including those for thyroid conditions, high blood pressure, chest pain, and a painkiller.
Additionally, a space heater was found near her body, leading police to suggest that it may have fallen on her.
Warning: the following contains a discussion of s**cide.
The investigator shared at the press conference: “We are now looking at whether it could be a death followed by a s**cide. Did Mr Hackman die suddenly from a heart attack and his wife was so distraught she took an overdose?”
They have also suggested that that Hackman’s wife may have suffered a medical emergency which may have left the Hollywood star ‘in such a state that he had a heart attack and died.’
The investigator shared that they are not ruling out any possibilities and are exploring every avenue.
Another police official close to the investigation suggested, “It’s possible that Mrs. Hackman experienced a medical crisis of her own. Mr. Hackman was found in the mud room, while she was 10 to 20 feet away in the bathroom. Did she perhaps try to get her blood pressure medication or something similar?”
“She could have had a medical incident that led to her death. The space heater was on the floor, which suggests she may have grabbed it when she fell.”
Law enforcement is focusing on the “pills specifically” and “other medications possibly in the residence.”
However, toxicology reports are expected to take several weeks.
