As detectives continue to look for answers, the public and authorities are in shock over the recent murders of famous actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. Despite the completion of autopsies, the cause of death is still unknown because neither person had any visible injuries. Speculation over the facts surrounding the unfortunate tragedy persists as the investigation moves forward.
When they were discovered dead, Gene Hackman, the well-known actor from films like Unforgiven and The French Connection, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were residing in their $3.8 million Santa Fe house. Their remains were located by deputies after what appeared to be a long time, according to local police; reports indicate they may have been dead for as long as two weeks before being discovered. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary investigation, however, shows no evidence of exterior trauma, foul play, or injuries to either Hackman or Arakawa.
The cause of death was not immediately clear from the autopsies, which were finished early on Thursday morning. The complete toxicological test findings, which may provide additional information on the circumstances surrounding their deaths, are still awaited by investigators. Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that the house had been tested for carbon monoxide and other dangerous chemicals by New Mexico Gas Company and verified that neither person had any visible wounds. Leslie Anne Hackman, Hackman’s daughter, suggested that there might have been a carbon monoxide leak, but the tests came back negative. The results of the gas testing allayed Leslie’s earlier suspicions that her father and stepmother had died from exposure to toxic vapours.
Authorities have stated that there are no signs of foul play, notwithstanding the lack of prompt answers. As a result, there is still ambiguity surrounding the couple’s death inquiry. In an interview with NBC News, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber discussed the impact of Hackman’s death and described him as a “gracious, friendly” star who was adored by his city. Despite Hackman’s enormous celebrity, Webber also recognised that he and his spouse were just ordinary citizens who had moved to Santa Fe.
Local authorities are looking into the situation more after the couple’s bodies were found. Hackman was discovered in the mud room close to the kitchen of the property, with his cane and sunglasses beside him, per an affidavit that DailyMail.com was able to get. This sparked worries that Hackman might have fallen before to his passing. Although it’s unclear if the medication had anything to do with the deaths, an open bottle of prescription medication was located close to Arakawa’s body, which was recovered on the toilet floor.
The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were described as being “partially mummified” upon discovery and had symptoms of decomposition in addition to the absence of physical violence. According to local officials, their bodies may have been preserved in part by New Mexico’s cold, dry desert air. Since it is unknown why the couple’s bodies were not found for such a long time, this added another level of intrigue to the case.
The couple’s daughter, Leslie Anne Hackman, has openly discussed her father’s condition and their family’s anguish over his untimely passing. Despite his advanced age, Hackman had maintained a healthy lifestyle, continuing to do Pilates and yoga multiple times a week, she stated. “Despite his advanced age, he was in excellent physical condition,” Leslie disclosed, noting that he had not had any major surgery recently. Since Hackman had a reputation for leading an active life, his family found it especially harder to accept his untimely passing.
They were married in 1991 and had been together for 34 years. Leslie had nothing but praise for her stepmother, Betsy, and credited her with keeping her father active and healthy throughout their marriage. She said, “I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.”
Authorities have stated that the final toxicology and autopsy reports may not be made public for up to four or six weeks while the inquiry is ongoing. Many people still have more questions than answers regarding the mystery surrounding the murders of Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog. The circumstances behind their terrible death are yet unknown till the official results are made public.
Their family, friends, and fans are very saddened by the unexpected and inexplicable deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy. For a long time, Hackman, who had a distinguished Hollywood career, was respected for both his acting prowess and his grounded nature. Both the entertainment industry and the Santa Fe community have been rocked by his death and the equally devastating loss of his wife. There is still optimism that the truth about the couple’s murders may soon come to light as investigators continue their probe.