Authorities investigating the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa say they have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department addressed the media Friday afternoon to provide an update on the investigation, which remains ongoing.
The two were found dead Wednesday at their home near Santa Fe, alongside a family dog; two other dogs were alive at the scene.
The couple had apparently been dead for some time before their bodies were discovered by a maintenance worker, authorities said.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday that the local medical examiner’s office has ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of the deaths. The sheriff also revealed that Hackman had a pacemaker which recorded his “last event” on Feb. 17, nearly a week before the bodies were discovered.
He continued by saying it’s too early to determine which of Hackman or Arakawa died first.
The investigation also includes pills that were recovered at the scene and are being evaluated by the local medical examiner’s office. Cell phones and other electronic devices, as well as a 2025 planner, were also recovered at the scene, which will be analyzed as part of the case to determine a timeline of events.
The sheriff noted that there is no known surveillance video that could help the investigation, as the couple was known to have valued their privacy.
Hackman, 95, was found in an entryway, and Arakawa, 65, was found lying on her right side in the bathroom. A space heater was next to her head and may have fallen when she abruptly dropped to the floor, according to an affidavit released Thursday.
The death was initially not believed to be suspicious but after search warrants were served at the home, authorities walked back that statement and said it warranted a serious investigation.
Despite this, Mendoza said earlier this week that there was no threat to the greater community.
Hackman was a five-time Oscar nominee who won best actor in a leading role for “The French Connection” in 1972 and best actor in a supporting role for “Unforgiven” two decades later. Arakawa was a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii.
Jennifer LaBar-Tapia, the Santa Fe film commissioner, said Hackman’s “talent is for generations to come” and that his “legacy and film is unparalleled, spanning decades of unforgettable performances.”
The investigation into the unusual circumstances surrounding the deaths is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to release more information as it becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
