Gene Hackman, wife's cause of death: Forensic expert shares opinion on 'unusual' circumstances
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths as well as that of their dog could be the result of a tragic accident, according to forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden.
A criminal investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa was launched Wednesday after New Mexico authorities found the 95-year-old actor, the 65-year-old classical pianist and one of their dogs dead in their Santa Fe home under circumstances deemed "suspicious."
Santa Fe Sheriff Department officials have said that there were no obvious signs of foul play and no external trauma was seen on either Hackman or Arakawa. After preliminary autopsies were completed, Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that the couple tested negative for carbon monoxide and Oscar-winning actor likely died about nine days before the bodies were discovered.
Gene Hackman, Wife Found Dead At Santa Fe Estate: What To Know About The Property
During an appearance on "Fox Report," Baden explained that Hackman's pacemaker, which the sheriff said last recorded an event on Feb. 17, could offer a key clue.
"That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate," he said. "The pacemaker keeps track of the pulse, and when it gets down too low, it discharges. And that's all in the record."
Read On The Fox News App
"So the autopsy showed he didn't have any injury," Baden continued. "There was no carbon monoxide. And he had — the most common cause of death in this country — severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure perhaps, from what's been released. So that would cause him, having cardiac arrest in the mudroom, to collapse right there."
In a search warrant affadvit released by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office and obtained by Fox News Digital, investigators stated that they found Hackman's body on the floor in a mud-room with a walking cane and sunglasses nearby. According to the documents, the detectives suspected that the actor may have "suddenly fallen."
Baden shared his theory that Arakawa's death may have occurred after Hackman's pacemaker stopped while she was trying to help her husband.
The affidavit stated that Arawkawa was found on the ground in a bathroom with a space heater near her head. An orange prescription bottle was found near Hackman's wife, according to a search warrant affidavit. It appeared to be open with pills scattered on a countertop. Authorities listed thyroid medication, blood pressure medication and Tylenol among the items they took from the house.
Gene Hackman's Death Mourned By Hollywood: Antonio Banderas, Gary Sinise, Francis Ford Coppola Remember Star
"His wife was found in the bathroom," Baden said. "They haven't released the information about her findings, except that she did not have carbon monoxide in her, and that what appears to be from the scene and from what's been said is that she found her husband in the mudroom."
Baden explained that in an agitated state, Arakawa could have rushed to the bathroom to get Hackman's blood pressure medication before falling to the floor while scattering the pills and taking the space heater down with her.
"She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn't show up on the outside or bleeding in the inside of the brain," Baden said. "Or that she may also, at 65, had severe heart disease and excitement can cause a trigger to the cardiac rhythm causing death under those circumstances. I think the first, that striking her head would be more common."
According to the affidavit, the deceased dog, a German Shepherd, was found "10-15 feet" away from Arakawa in a closet of the bathroom. Two other living dogs were discovered on the property. Detectives observed that "one of the healthy dogs was initially observed near the deceased female (inside the bathroom) and the other healthy dog was observed outside the residence."
"What was perplexing to me initially with the release was the death of a dog also, which I thought was free in the house," Baden said. "And that's why I think that the carbon monoxide[theory] was a very good thought with them breathing in the same air. But it turns out from what they say, that the dog was constrained in his cage or kennel and would have died from just dehydration and lack of water during the nine-day period that he couldn't get out of the kennel."
Baden noted that his theory could explain why an emergency call wasn't immediately made after Hackman experienced the cardiac event on Feb. 17. A maintenance worker who discovered Hackman and Arakawa's bodies called 911 on Feb. 26.
Gene Hackman And Wife's Deaths Called 'Suspicious,' Bodies Showed Signs Of 'Mummification'
"The circumstances and who he was — he was beloved by so many — are what make it so unusual," Baden said. "Because heart disease and collapsing and dying with a pacemaker is common in the United States."
"But the circumstances of the two of them isolated by themselves," he continued. "And that may have been the reason that 911 wasn't called, for example, while his wife was trying to get him some medication and fell."
Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News
Hackman and Arakawa were last publicly photographed together March 28, 2024. Hackman was spotted holding onto his wife's arm. He held onto a walking cane in his other hand. Arakawa looked out in the distance and held up her arm to support her husband.
The couple were pictured outside Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Santa Fe. Hackman has lived in the area since the 1980s.
While Hackman and his wife mainly lived a private life, the last event they attended together appeared to be the 2003 Golden Globes, when he was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
During a Friday appearance on "Today," Sheriff Mendoza said that the medication that was found on the property was "very important evidence at the scene."
"That information was collected … passed to the medical investigator to help them make a determination. …Yes, we're looking at that specifically and other medications possibly in the residence. ... That is something of concern," he said.
Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter
When asked whether Hackman and his wife died simultaneously or whether one died before the other, the sheriff replied, "I think that's very difficult to determine. I think it's going to be pretty close."
Mendoza previously stated that toxicology tests were ordered for Hackman and his wife because the manner and cause of death have not been determined.
While appearing on "Today," the sheriff said the toxicology report may take up to three months for results or "possibly longer," depending on how "busy the laboratory is." Mendoza added his team hopes the results come "sooner rather than later."
Mendoza said he is "pretty confident there is no foul play, just based on the lack of evidence of foul play."
"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."
Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.Original article source: Gene Hackman, wife's cause of death: Forensic expert shares opinion on 'unusual' circumstances
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Hypebeast
21 minutes ago
- Hypebeast
Karrueche Tran Hosted a Courvoisier Dînatoire Party in NYC to Kick Off Summer
'Bring Your OwnCourvoisier, #BYOCV' is all about bringing the energy with you when you walk into a room and embracing the party before the party. It's about highlighting the pregame moments that set the tone for the night and the anticipatory energy that invigorates the moment, which the cognac brand showcases in a new short film starring Emmy Award-winning actressKarrueche Tranand stylistBloody Osiris. In the film, the two show how they bring their own Courvoisier, elevating nights out with refreshing cocktail recipes. Last night, they brought those good vibes to New York City's Elysée's for a dinner party that kicked off the brand's Courvoisier Dînatoire series, which will bring early-evening social experiences to different cities, elevated by a French flair. The night kicked off with a toast from Tran, who shared that Courvoisier has been a long-time pre-party staple for her — 'A dînatoire is all about enjoying the moment and Courvoisier for me is legendary — we all know the song…'Pass the Courvoisier!'' The menu included specialty Courvoisier cocktails, including Tran's favorite, a Courvoisier Lemonade, alongside wagyu bites with crispy rice, lamp chop lollipops, chicken skewers, shrimp, crispy mushroom and more. When guests weren't eating or watching the premiere of the campaign film, The Courvoisier Call, they were encouraged to engage in conversation, using #BYOCV ice-breaker cards at each place setting. Attendees also each received one of the new custom Courvoisier leather tote bags, rolling out later this year for fans who purchase bottles at key retailers. Each included a bottle of the spirit, of course, so everyone could bring their own Courvoisier, and guests had a chance to really make the bottles their own with personal engravings. The vibes were high all night and the drinks and conversations were both flowing. If you want to find out when the next Courvoisier Dînatoire experience comes to your city, learn more about the campaign and stay updated on BYOCV news. DISCLAIMER: We discourage irresponsible and/or underage drinking. Drink responsibly and legally.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
GREY GOOSE® VODKA DEBUTS "GREY GOOSE HÔTEL," A NEW GLOBAL CAMPAIGN STARRING ZOE SALDAÑA
The campaign draws on the brand's French sensibility and encourages consumers to savour moments of pleasure instead of obsessing over productivity. GREY GOOSE will unveil new creative vignettes and immersive experiential pop-ups later this year where people will be able to "check in" and experience joyful moments at the GREY GOOSE Hôtel. HAMILTON, Bermuda, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GREY GOOSE®, the quintessential French vodka, is proud to premiere "GREY GOOSE Hôtel," a new global campaign launching with a series of creative shorts starring Oscar-winning actor Zoe Saldaña. The films were brought to life by GREY GOOSE vodka's newly awarded creative agency of record, BBH USA, in collaboration with Director Martin Werner, Director of Photography Rodrigo Prieto and Executive Producers Laura Macauley and Jen Beitler. Together, GREY GOOSE and BBH USA crafted the campaign with a fresh perspective, delivering bold, yet playful storytelling in the creative. With this campaign, GREY GOOSE is calling on audiences to live as the French do: taking enjoyment into their own hands and savouring the good times, instead of obsessing over productivity, a focus that research shows is afflicting many in the U.S today. "The opportunity to work with GREY GOOSE again after almost two decades has been such an amazing full circle moment, and I feel especially aligned with this campaign's message of living in the present," said Saldaña, "Working on 'GREY GOOSE Hôtel' has been the great reminder to stop fretting about being productive and start saying 'yes' to more moments that inspire joie de vivre." The Films The campaign includes films set at the GREY GOOSE Hôtel, a destination that captures the mindset of a European holiday, a moment where people dress, eat and drink better and where time appears to be nonexistent. In the premiere spot, a 30-second film titled "Last-ish Call," Saldaña mischievously tiptoes across the hotel after the bar closes, quietly collecting cocktail essentials from the lobby and kitchen to help extend the good times together just a little bit longer. After all, "last call" at the GREY GOOSE Hôtel is merely a suggestion. In "Not So Dry Martini Cocktail," another 30-second spot debuting in mid-July, Saldaña and friends are soaking up the sun beachside with GREY GOOSE cocktails when a sudden rainstorm threatens to spoil their fun. Not letting it ruin the moment, the group embraces and laughs off the weather, transforming their drinks into "not-so-dry" martini cocktails. "At the heart of our new campaign is the GREY GOOSE Hôtel, a living expression of our belief that pleasure is essential," said Aleco Azqueta, GREY GOOSE Global Vice President of Marketing. "Time is meant to be enjoyed, not just managed. When we're always rushing, we miss the moments that truly matter. 'Make Time Wait' is our call to rediscover joy, not in what we check off our to-do list, but in what we truly take in." The campaign will roll out across linear TV, online video and social media starting on June 12, and will air during thrilling moments this summer that embody the joie de vivre that this campaign is looking to inspire, including the NBA Finals, U.S. Open Golf Championship, Wimbledon and the US Open Tennis Championship. Additional content, including behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the films and a demo from Saldaña on her go-to summer cocktail--Le Zoé Spritz--will also be available on the brand's Instagram channels (@greygoose). All the details in the creative campaign were carefully selected to reflect the mindset of joie de vivre and indulgence that the GREY GOOSE Hôtel evokes, from the set in Lake Como, one of Europe's premiere destinations, to the sophisticated yet playful outfits and the rich upbeat music. The Experiences Beyond the screen, consumers will be invited to "check in" and experience the world of the GREY GOOSE Hôtel at rolling activations throughout the year. To learn more about the "GREY GOOSE Hôtel," follow @greygoose on Instagram and visit Le Zoé Spritz Recipe1.5 oz GREY GOOSE® Vodka1.5 oz Rosé Wine from Provence1.5 oz Perrier® Sparkling Water3 oz Strawberry Juice.5 oz Fresh Lemon JuiceSliced StrawberriesBlueberries1 Sprig of Thyme Method: In a wine glass, add GREY GOOSE, rosé wine, Perrier, strawberry juice and fresh lemon juice over cubed ice and stir gently. Garnish with sliced strawberries, blueberries and sprig of fresh thyme. About GREY GOOSE vodkaMade without compromise, GREY GOOSE® is made with the highest-quality ingredients and has a 100% traceable production process, from crop to cork. Every aspect of the creation of GREY GOOSE® is focused on crafting vodka of unmatched quality. Each bottle of GREY GOOSE is distilled and bottled in France, with a recipe and process that remains unchanged since inception, using just two ingredients – single-origin Picardie wheat and spring water from our natural limestone well in Gensac-la-Pallue. A one-distillation process brings out the true essence of these ingredients. The GREY GOOSE portfolio is comprised of GREY GOOSE® vodka, GREY GOOSE® Altius, GREY GOOSE® La Poire, GREY GOOSE® L'Orange, and GREY GOOSE® Le Citron Flavored vodkas. SIP RESPONSIBLY. The GREY GOOSE vodka brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Press ContactsNike Communications - greygoose@ Wharton - cmwharton@ Didia - atdidia01@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE GREY GOOSE
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Miley Cyrus Lays on Ex Patrick Schwarzenegger's Dad Arnold's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in New Album Film
Miley Cyrus premiered her Something Beautiful visual album at Tribeca Festival in New York City on June 6 During the clip for her song "Walk of Fame," she lays on Arnold Schwarzenegger's Hollywood Walk of Fame star — over a decade after she dated his son, Patrick, from November 2014 to April 2015 Cyrus previously spoke about ending up in the ICU with an infection from making the "Walk of Fame" videoIs Miley Cyrus making a reference to her past relationship with Patrick Schwarzenegger? The Grammy-winning superstar, 32, premiered the accompanying film for her new Something Beautiful album at Tribeca Festival in New York City on June 6, and in one scene from the project she lays on Patrick's father Arnold Schwarzenegger's Hollywood Walk of Fame star. The moment aptly occurs during the clip for Cyrus' album track "Walk of Fame," a collaboration with Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes featuring lyrics about the experience of being famous and how it takes over one's life. "Ooh, yeah, it's a walk of fame / And through the tears, I can see it so clear / Walk away, walk away," sings the Hannah Montana alum on the track's chorus. In the "Walk of Fame" visual, Cyrus struts down the actual Hollywood Walk of Fame and prominently lays down on Arnold's star — a decade after she dated Patrick from November 2014 to April 2015. The "Flowers" singer, who's now been dating boyfriend Maxx Morando since late 2021, fully committed to her vision for the "Walk of Fame" music video — and ultimately wound up in the ICU as a result. In a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live! interview, Cyrus spoke about filming the clip in the middle of the night to no one else would be on the sidewalks, as they didn't have the budget to officially reserve the space. At one point, however, she "caught something" — seemingly from the sidewalk. She reflected on feeling "lucky" to not have needed to get a "hypodermic needle" in her body. "Because I filmed this video in October, and by November on Thanksgiving, I was put in ICU," she said. Cyrus stressed that her tenure in the intensive care unit was "just for a moment" since the less-serious emergency room was full of Thanksgiving-related visitors. "My leg began to disintegrate ... around the kneecap area," she detailed of the infection. "And then the doctor goes, 'Do you have any idea why you would have such a brutal infection on your kneecap?'" is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! "I had to tell him," continued Cyrus. "To have a surgeon look at you and say, 'Yuck...' They open up cadavers. They see inside the guts of humans, and they're looking at me, telling me I'm disgusting. And they do brain operations!" Needless to say, filming the video was an unforgettable experience. "Have you been to the Walk of Fame in the middle of the night?" she asked Kimmel. "I thought it was my last day." Read the original article on People