Gene Hackman’s pacemaker hints he may have died days before body was found at New Mexico home

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: In a chilling new development in the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, investigators have revealed that the Hollywood legend, 95, may have died nine days before his body was found alongside his wife at their New Mexico home. 

During a press conference on Friday afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff officials confirmed that Hackman’s pacemaker had last been operational on February 17. The couple's bodies were discovered on Wednesday, February 26, leaving authorities to piece together the unsettling timeline surrounding their deaths.

Sheriff reveals chilling update on Gene Hackman and his wife's deaths

During a press conference, Sheriff Adam Mendoza provided new details about the tragic deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

Mendoza told reporters, "An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025. According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life," referring to Hackman’s likely date of death. 

He also described one of the most difficult aspects of the investigation, stating, "It’s a very hard thing to determine," when asked who died first.

He added, “I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed that'll conclude my statement. There is no surveillance as we know it right now, in the interior of the residence or the exterior of the residents.”

The sheriff gave an update regarding the ongoing investigation, “We're going to go through the planner. We're contacting workers, maintenance workers, family members, security. We're going to be talking to security. There's in and out that's, I believe, is documented. So we're working with them to try to determine, you know, when the last contact was, and that'll help us put together that timeline.”

Mendoza also addressed rumors regarding the cause of death, specifically the family’s belief that the couple may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning as per Mirror. However, reports have shown no trace of the compound, and authorities have ruled out foul play. 

He concluded, “An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending.”

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their 'unlocked' home

A search warrant affidavit revealed that Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered in separate areas of their home. Arakawa was found in the bathroom near a space heater and an open bottle of pills.

Her body displayed signs of "mummification," indicating she had likely been deceased for an extended period. Similarly, Hackman's body also showed "obvious signs of death," per Fox News.

Surprisingly, two other dogs were found alive on the property.

Sheriff Mendoza confirmed that several doors at the residence were unsecured. He explained, "I believe the front door was closed but unlocked and unsecured. There was one door that was ajar and that was towards the rear of the residence that two of the dogs that survived were coming in and out of the residence. We’re not sure if that door was open upon the arrival of the emergency personnel."

Regarding the ongoing investigation, Mendoza stated that the toxicology report could take up to three months to complete, or potentially longer, depending on the "workload of the laboratory." He expressed hope for quicker results.

Mendoza also shared his confidence that there was no foul play involved, citing the lack of evidence to suggest otherwise.

"[I’m] pretty confident there is no foul play, just based on the lack of evidence of foul play," he said. "But we, of course, we're not ruling that out. The autopsy results, the official results, will steer us in the right direction. That could change, obviously, and we're not ruling that out. This is an open investigation. It's a couple [of] days old. We're putting together the timeline. We're trying to figure out all the evidence. The autopsy is key, and that's going to take some time."