Gene Hackman death: Pacemaker recorded 'last event' on Feb. 17

USA Today

28-02-2025

Gene Hackman death: Pacemaker recorded 'last event' on Feb. 17
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Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa mourned in Santa Fe
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were living a quiet life in Santa Fe before their deaths.
New Mexico authorities are revealing actor Gene Hackman may have died nearly 10 days before his body was found.
The actor, his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, along with a dog, were found dead by neighborhood security officials, at their New Mexico home on Wednesday. Authorities are still investigating the cause, which at this point is still considered "suspicious."
Hackman's pacemaker revealed that "his last event was recorded on Feb. 17, 2025," Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said during a press conference Friday. Mendoza said it was "a good assumption" to conclude that was Hackman's "last day of life," more than a week before he was found.
He also said that tests ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death for the couple.
Deputies found the 95-year-old actor and Arakawa deceased on Wednesday around 1:45 p.m., according to a statement Thursday from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. Mendoza told the "Today" show on Friday that he's "pretty confident that there's no foul play" involved, though police are "not ruling that out."
Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide, Mendoza said during the press conference. According to the sheriff, the couple were transported to the office of the medical investigator early Thursday.
After leaving California, Hackman led intensely 'private' life in New Mexico
After leaving California, the Hollywood icon led a quiet life in his beloved New Mexico, but authorities are shedding new light on what was found inside in the Hackman home.
"Gene was not only a legendary actor whose talent shaped generations of storytelling, but he and Betsy were also longtime residents of our community," said Jennifer LaBar-Tapia, of the Santa Fe Film Office, during the press conference, adding that the pair were "deeply woven" into Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Hackman lead a reclusive life after a lavish career in Hollywood.
The inventory for the search warrant, executed Thursday, found two green cell phones, thyroid medication, Diltiazem medication (used to treat high blood pressure and control chest pain), Tylenol, MyQuest records and a 2025 monthly planner (calendar).
During the Friday press conference, Mendoza said his office would "look and try to gain access to the cellphones. We'll be analyzing cell phone data, phone calls, text messages, events, photos in the cell phone to try to piece a timeline together."
"One of the things is in an investigation, we try to piece a timeline together," Mendoza said they usually work from when "the event" happens and go forward, but revealed that investigators plan to also work "backwards" on the Hackman case.
Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa death case: The latest
Authorities found the actor in a mudroom near his cane, appearing to have fallen, while wife Arakawa was found in an open bathroom near a space heater, according to the warrant.
One of the couple's German shepherds was found dead less than 15 feet from Arakawa in a closet, while their other two dogs were found alive in the bathroom near Arakawa and outside.
Mendoza told "Today" that it would be a "challenge" crafting a timeline of their deaths, as Hackman and Arakawa were "private individuals and a private family."
He added that there was no "indication that anybody was moving about the house or doing anything different, so it's very hard to determine" if the couple died at different times or together.
Anika Reed contributed to this report.