Gene Hackman's dogs helped authorities locate his body
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's dogs helped locate the actor's body when authorities arrived at the couple's home on Feb. 26.
Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya explained the department immediately located Betsy in a bathroom after entering the front door of the New Mexico home. However, officials searched for nearly 30 minutes with no sign of Hackman.
While paramedics and officers from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department searched the home, one of the couple's dogs kept running up to them. Authorities originally thought the dog wanted to play, but later realized the pup was trying to help. One of Hackman and Betsy's dogs died, but two remained alive at the home and were able to roam through an open back door.
"They realized [the dog] was trying to say, 'Hey, come over here! Come over here!'" Moya told USA Today.
Moya previously told Fox News Digital that authorities believed Hackman and Betsy died in a similar timeframe.
"Just because both bodies were in similar ways where we, as experts, sad to say that we know a lot about how people die and how long people are dead for – both bodies are in a similar manner that it could be a similar timeframe," Moya said.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department later confirmed during a press conference that Betsy likely died on Feb. 11. Hackman most likely died one week later.
Betsy died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, New Mexico officials told reporters. Meanwhile, Hackman died from hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributing factor. It's plausible that the actor was home alone with Betsy's deceased body before he passed.
Feb. 18 was the last day activity was recorded on Hackman's pacemaker. The device noted "abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation."
WATCH: NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS CONFIRMED GENE HACKMAN AND HIS WIFE BETSY'S CAUSE OF DEATHS
Hackman's autopsy showed "severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure."
"Examination of the brain showed advanced Alzheimer's disease as well as blood vessel changes in the brain secondary to chronic high blood pressure," according to Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell.
Authorities determined Betsy died on or around Feb. 11 through her activity and communication. The former classical pianist had an email conversation on the morning of Feb. 11 before heading out to a local grocery store, a pharmacy and a pet store. She returned to the couple's gated community around 5:15 p.m., garage clicker data showed.
"Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that [Betsy] passed away first, with Feb. 11 being the last time that she was known to be alive," Jarrell said.
Authorities responded to a 911 call on Feb. 26 and discovered Hackman and Betsy deceased inside.
The investigation remains ongoing until cellphone data can be reviewed and a necropsy is performed on their dog, Zinna.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
21 minutes ago
- Fox News
Non-citizen LA rioters could be deported under new House bill
FIRST ON FOX: Some House Republicans are now considering whether non-citizens who are found to have participated in violent anti-law enforcement riots have a right to stay in the United States. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, is leading a bill that would make non-U.S. citizens convicted of "actual or attempted assault, battery, or use of force" against any law enforcement officer eligible for deportation. Any immigrants deported under the legislation, if enacted, would be permanently barred from the United States. "The thing about breaking the law is, there's effectively a waiving of your constitutional rights that's sort of inherent in our system, right? When you go to prison, you're losing your liberty," Crenshaw told Fox News Digital in an interview Tuesday. "So this is a very normal thing, and in the case of say, people who are here legally, but then committing acts of violence – in this case, we're being really specific, during a national emergency, committing assaults against police officers, and destruction of property – that should have an effect and be on the list of things that allows for revocation of your status." Early bill text obtained by Fox News Digital shows the bill would apply to legal permanent residents, people here illegally, and beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. It would go into effect when presidents, governors or local leaders make emergency or major disaster declarations. It comes amid continued tensions in Los Angeles, where protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations turned violent across the city this weekend. Rioters were seen burning American flags and cars stood on the street in flames, while police used pepper spray and rubber bullets on crowds outside federal buildings. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard despite the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and ordered 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles as well. Those Marines will be training in Seal Beach for a few more days before deployment, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of escalating violence in Los Angeles, while Republicans argue that federal action is necessary based on the state's handling of the situation. Crenshaw said his legislation would help the administration restore order during such times. "What it would do is, it would give the administration the option to say, yeah we've rounded all these people up, half of them are U.S. citizens, okay, you're going to jail for rioting. Maybe another quarter are illegals, well that's easy you can deport them," he said. "But what about the other quarter? You know, that might be…a number of legal aliens here rioting against America for enforcing our immigration laws. In our minds, you've violated that sort of social contract with the United States at that point." Crenshaw said he spoke with the White House and that officials there were "excited" about the bill. The White House said it would not get in front of the president on legislative matters when reached for comment by Fox News Digital. Currently, legal U.S. residents, including green card holders, can have their status revoked by an immigration judge if they are found guilty of certain crimes or are found to have fraudulently misrepresented themselves in their application for residence. Crimes that would make legal U.S. visa holders and green card holders eligible for deportation currently include murder, drug trafficking and rape.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
'With a Vengeance' by Riley Sager is a tense mystery on a train: Review
'With a Vengeance' by Riley Sager is a tense mystery on a train: Review Justice is best served cold — after a luxury overnight train ride, of course. That's the premise of "With A Vengeance" (Dutton, ★★★ out of four), the newest novel from bestselling author Riley Sager. It's is a locked-room mystery that takes us back to 1954 as a trap is being set. Anna Matheson's plan was simple, and she has put all her energy — and money — into every last detail. Get the people responsible for her family's downfall during the war onto a train where there's no escape, confront them and find out why they did what they did and then deliver them right to authorities waiting at the train's destination. But her meticulous plans are, well, derailed shortly after the train departs Philadelphia. Anna has managed, through anonymous invitations (and mild threats), to lure the six people who were behind destroying her family onto the luxe, and suspiciously empty, Phoenix train for a nonstop overnight ride bound for Chicago. More: USA TODAY's best-selling booklist She's prepared for this moment, prepared to face them all with what she's uncovered about their crimes, but she's unprepared for what comes after. Anna might want justice, but someone on the train apparently wants them dead and is killing Anna's captives, one by one. Now, she is in a literal race against the clock to not only figure out who's behind the murders, but also help protect the people she despises so they can be alive to face the justice they deserve. Sager's novel, which takes readers through each of the 13 hours from the train's departure to its arrival, brings easy comparisons to Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" and "And Then There Were None." But there's also familiarity from Sager's previous novels: the panicky main character making messy moves, hints of romance past and present, uncovered family secrets and many twists. The journey through "Vengeance" almost loses its way along the tracks setting up some of those twists. Like real train trips, initial excitement can wane as the adventure gets underway and you settle in for the ride. Will it remain fun, or will the repetition rock you to sleep? There's plenty, though, to capture a reader's interest along the way. The tension between the characters, the tightness of the quarters on the train are visceral and sharp. You might not understand why Anna makes some of her choices, but you can understand her grief for the loss of her family and her desperation for closure and justice. That along with the story's short timeframe factor add to the urge to find out what happens next as the mystery deepens and the action escalates. More: Celebrate Pride Month with one of these 10 new books, from romance to nonfiction And Anna is surrounded by characters with more interesting backstories than her own: Her Aunt Retta, glimpsed through flashbacks, who had little patience for weakness, or her late beloved brother, Tommy, the kind and charming youth who joined the military and the war effort both seem worthy of novels of their own. "Vengeance" is not merely the final destination — the answers to whodunit or how — but the whole journey: observing the passing scenery, the setting, the passengers and seeing where the ride takes you.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Congress steps in amid 'out-of-control' Los Angeles riots as Democrats resist federal help
FIRST ON FOX: Republicans in California's congressional delegation are moving to formally condemn the riots in Los Angeles, as tensions continue there between federal immigration authorities and protesters. The resolution being introduced Tuesday affirms support for peaceful protests and for state, local and federal law enforcement. It also "calls on local and state elected leadership to work with the federal government to end the violent riots and restore peace," even as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom continue to oppose the presence of National Guard troops in the city. California Republicans Slam Newsom, Bass For Letting La Burn With Riots Amid Trump Immigration Blitz Protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement raids erupted over the weekend after authorities began arresting dozens of people as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigrants in the U.S. Several demonstrations soon turned violent and have since captivated national attention, with images of masked rioters waving Mexican flags and cars burning in the street. Read On The Fox News App Democratic officials, including Newsom and Bass, had accused President Donald Trump of escalating tensions in Los Angeles by sending in thousands of National Guard troops. He also ordered the deployment of 700 Marines. California Lt. Governor Says Los Angeles Riots Are 'Generated By Donald Trump' Republicans, in turn, have defended Trump as doing what is necessary and have criticized progressive leaders for opposing rather than working with the president. The resolution, first obtained by Fox News Digital, notes, "These protests quickly escalated into violent riots across Los Angeles, where acts of arson and vandalism were committed, blocking streets and highways, lighting streets on fire, throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles, and assaulting Federal and local peace officers." It also points out that rioters burned American flags, in "an act that disrespects the nation that protects their freedom." Newsom is also called out specifically in the text, having "asserted that 'local law enforcement didn't need any help,' despite the Los Angeles Police Department declaring that the violence had worsened and spiraled out of control." The resolution is being led by Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., and is signed by every Republican in California's congressional delegation. When reached for comment, the California governor's office directed Fox News Digital to a press release regarding "our robust law enforcement mutual aid system and having to clean up the mess Trump created."Original article source: Congress steps in amid 'out-of-control' Los Angeles riots as Democrats resist federal help
