Gene Hackman's daughter reveals suspicions about what might have caused her father and his wife's deaths
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Elizabeth Jean Hackman revealed to TMZ that while the official cause of death remains undetermined, she and her family suspect that her father, Gene Hackman, and his wife Betsy Arakawa may have succumbed to toxic gas inhalation at the couple’s residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Authorities have now released more details about their investigation into the late actor and his wife's deaths. The initial affidavit from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, however, had ruled out the presence of any kind of gas poisoning, including carbon monoxide.
A detective had noted in the initial affidavit that there were "no obvious signs of a gas leak" at the residence and that investigators "did not locate signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning."
Gene Hackman and his wife's initial autopsy reports
In a news release from Thursday, Feb 27, Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed that an initial autopsy had been performed, with the Office of the Medical Investigator finding no signs of external trauma or physical injury caused by an outside source.
"Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals," the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said. "The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending."
The department added, "It should be noted there were no apparent signs of foul play."
It was also noted that the New Mexico Gas Company tested the gas lines and, “As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.”
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 64, were discovered dead at their home at approximately 1.45 pm on Wednesday, February 26. Alongside them, one of their three pet dogs was also found dead, while two others survived.
Hackman shared three children with his late ex-wife, Fay Maltese, who died in 2017. Their son Christopher Allen was born in January 1960, Elizabeth Jean in August 1962, and Leslie Anne in October 1966.
The affidavit also claims that the pair may have been dead for some weeks, with Hackman's wife being "found decomposed with bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet" and the 95-year-old actor being "found to have the same signs of decomposition as his wife".
The pair had not been seen for two weeks, and their bodies were discovered on Wednesday, February 26.
A look at Gene Hackman’s life: From stardom to quiet retirement
Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, left an indelible mark on Hollywood with a career spanning over four decades.
His accolades include Oscars for 'The French Connection' (1972) and 'Unforgiven' (1992), solidifying his status as one of the most revered actors of his generation.
After retiring from acting in 2004, Hackman chose a reclusive lifestyle in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lived with Arakawa, a classical pianist.
Despite stepping away from the limelight, he remained an enduring figure in the industry, with friends occasionally sharing glimpses of his life, including fishing trips and cycling outings around Santa Fe.
Gene Hackman's final public appearance and quiet life in Santa Fe
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were seen in public for the first time in over two decades in 2023.
The couple was spotted enjoying a meal at Pappadeaux's Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe, marking a rare sighting of the Hollywood legend.
Before their dinner, Hackman was seen grabbing coffee and apple pie from a local Speedway convenience store, according to Daily Mail.
In a 2020 interview with Empire, Hackman shared that he and Arakawa enjoyed simple entertainment, often watching low-budget films and Friday night comedy marathons featuring comedian Eddie Izzard.
