Cops explore possibility of Gene Hackman’s ‘distraught’ wife taking her life after actor’s death

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Authorities investigating the shocking deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have introduced a new theory, one that suggests a tragic sequence of events leading to a possible suicide.

With no immediate evidence of foul play, officials are now considering whether grief and medical complications played a role in the couple’s final moments, as reported by Irish Star.

New theory emerges in mysterious deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa

An investigator speaking on reporters on Sunday, March 2, shed light on the evolving case, stating, "There is no immediate sign of foul play, although the lack of carbon monoxide has upended the initial theories about how they died."

Considering the new development, he stated, "We are now looking at whether it could be a death followed by a suicide. Did Mr Hackman die suddenly from a heart attack and his wife was so distraught she took an overdose?"

With conflicting timelines and unusual details, officials are keeping all possibilities on the table. "Or could his wife have suffered an acute medical event which caused her death, and then Mr Hackman was in such a state that he had a heart attack and died? We are looking at all possibilities," the source added.

Pacemaker data raises new questions

Gene Hackman, who battled severe heart issues in the past, had a pacemaker that recorded his final heartbeat on February 17. This crucial detail, paired with blood test results ruling out carbon monoxide poisoning, raises more questions than answers.

Hackman, 95, had previously undergone surgery in 1991 for arterial blockages, making the heart attack theory a plausible scenario.

Hackman and wife Betsy, 65, were found dead alongside one of their dogs in their sprawling $3.8M home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 26. 

A maintenance worker saw their bodies inside the house and called 911. Authorities found the actor on the floor of a mudroom near his cane, while his wife was found in an bathroom next to a space heater, with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the nearby countertop.

The Express US reports that her proximity to a portable heater has sparked speculation that it might have fallen over her.

A source close to the investigation suggested that Arakawa might have experienced a medical emergency, stating, "It may also be that Mrs Hackman had a medical crisis of her own. Mr Hackman was found in the mud room. She was 10ft or 20ft away from him in a bathroom. Did she try and get blood pressure medication or something like that?"

They further speculated, “She could have had a medical incident which led to her death. The space heater was on the floor, suggesting she grabbed it and brought it down when she fell."

Santa Fe sheriff confirms investigators are examining pills found at residence

Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that prescription drugs found in the home are under investigation. "We're looking at (the pills) specifically, and other medications possibly in the residence," he said.

One surprising detail is the absence of security cameras on the property, leaving investigators relying on forensic evidence alone.