Gene Hackman and his 65-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home, with the cause of death being “suspicious.” A criminal investigation was launched after New Mexico authorities discovered the couple’s bodies under unusual circumstances. According to forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, Hackman’s pacemaker could be a key clue in understanding what happened.
Dr. Baden explained that Hackman’s pacemaker recorded an event on February 17, which could indicate cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate. The autopsy showed no signs of foul play or carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead, the cause of death was severe heart disease, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure.
The investigation found Hackman’s body in a mudroom with a walking cane and sunglasses nearby. Dr. Baden shared his theory that Arakawa may have died after helping her husband, who had stopped responding to his pacemaker. She could have rushed to the bathroom to get Hackman’s blood pressure medication before falling and taking the space heater down with her.
The autopsy showed Arakawa had internal injuries from a head strike, possibly due to dehydration and lack of water during the nine-day period she was confined in her kennel. Dr. Baden believes that the circumstances surrounding their deaths are unusual because they were isolated and alone, which may have prevented an emergency call being made.
The couple’s last public appearance together was on March 28, 2024, when Hackman held onto his wife’s arm and Arakawa supported him with her other hand. The investigation is ongoing, and toxicology tests are expected to take up to three months to complete.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/gene-hackman-wifes-cause-death-053434738.html