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Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
New Evidence Reveals That Gene Hackman's Wife, Betsy Arakawa, Was Alive For At Least One Full Day After Authorities Thought She'd Died
Earlier this month, the tragic details surrounding Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths were shared in a press conference, with authorities determining that Betsy, 63, had died a full week before her 95-year-old husband, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. For reference, the couple and one of their pet dogs were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26, with it initially speculated that they had died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. It was later confirmed that the Santa Fe City Fire Department had not found any evidence of a leak in the property. The search warrant affidavit also revealed that Hackman and Arakawa's bodies were found after two maintenance workers for the gated community where they lived called 911, and that nobody had seen the couple for two weeks. Arakawa's body was found on the floor of a bathroom on the ground floor of the residence, with an orange prescription bottle close by and pills scattered on the counter. The affidavit stated that her body 'showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.' Hackman's body was found in a 'similar' condition in what is thought to have been a mud room close to the kitchen. The deputies on the scene suspected he had 'suddenly fallen,' and sunglasses and a walking cane were found close to his body. It was later confirmed that the dead dog, Zinna, was found in a crate in the bathroom closet. Authorities said the pet had been picked up from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9, following a procedure, which might be why it was kept in a crate in the couple's home. Two healthy dogs were also found on the property. In a press conference with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator's chief medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, on Mar. 7, it was said that Hackman had likely died on Feb. 18, as this was the last day any heart activity was recorded by his pacemaker. It is thought that the actor died of cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's disease as a "significant contributory factor.' No food was found in his stomach at the time of his death. Meanwhile, it was thought that Arakawa had died on Feb. 11, with Dr. Jarrell saying that her cause of death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease carried by rodents that can cause flulike symptoms and affect the lungs and heart. However, new evidence came to light on Monday, when the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Arakawa was actually still alive on Feb. 12. They said that the classical pianist made multiple calls to a health clinic for medical treatment one day after she was initially believed to have died. The sheriff's office explained that they only learned of the calls when they received the cellphone data from her phone, and that three calls were made to Cloudberry Health, a personalized medical practice in the local area, on the morning of Feb. 12. She also received a call from the clinic that same day. Cloudberry Health's Dr. Josiah Child told the BBC that Arakawa reached out to them for medical advice, but they never treated either her or Hackman. He added to the publication: 'She called and described some congestion but didn't mention any respiratory distress, shortness of breath, or chest pain.' Dr. Child also said that Arakawa had an appointment scheduled for Feb. 12, but canceled it on Feb. 10 because she needed to care for her husband. When she called seeking treatment on Feb. 12, the clinic told Arakawa that she needed to be seen in person. "There were a couple of calls back and forth to just schedule that appointment for the afternoon, but she never showed up," Dr Child said. "Our office called back several times and never got an answer." Addressing the confusion over Arakawa's date of death, the sheriff's office noted that they never officially reported it to be on Feb. 11; this was just the date of her last known activity. On Feb. 11, Arakawa is said to have exchanged emails with a massage therapist, visited a grocery store, pharmacy, and pet store, and returned home at around 5:15 p.m., according to data obtained from a garage clicker. Either way, it is still thought that Arakawa died days before Hackman, and Dr. Jarrell previously shed some light on how difficult Hackman's final week of life would have been. She explained that due to his advanced Alzheimer's, it is "quite possible that he was not aware that she [his wife] was deceased.' Officials found no evidence that Hackman communicated with anybody after Arakawa's death, and they could not determine if he would have been able to care for himself. Neurologist Dr. Brendan Kelley said that Alzheimer's disease can leave patients unable to act on their own emotional discomfort, including eating, sleeping, and bathing themselves. "A person might feel worried or frightened, but at the same time they might not be capable to take the actions that you or I might normally think to do in order to alleviate that worry or concern, such as calling somebody else, or going to speak to a neighbor,' he said during the Mar. 7 press conference. The update to the case's timeline comes after the BBC revealed that Hackman had left his entire $80 million fortune to Arakawa in his will, leaving uncertainty over who will inherit his estate. Hackman has three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, 65-year-old Christopher, 62-year-old Elizabeth, and 58-year-old Leslie, but none of them were mentioned in his legal there was no beneficiary other than Arakawa mentioned, the estate could default to the children under succession laws More on this Amid Reports Gene Hackman Likely Lived A Full Week Alone With Advanced Alzheimer's After His Wife Betsy Arakawa's Death, Bruce Willis's Wife Has Urged People To Look Out For CaregiversStephanie Soteriou · March 11, 2025 Gene Hackman And Betsy Arakawa's Bodies Were Found With 'Obvious Signs' Of 'Mummification' — Here's What It All MeansStephanie Soteriou · Feb. 28, 2025 Gene Hackman, His Wife Betsy Arakawa, And Their Pet Dog Found Dead In Their Santa Fe HomeStephanie Soteriou · Feb. 27, 2025
Buzz Feed
18-03-2025
- Buzz Feed
New Evidence Reveals That Gene Hackman's Wife, Betsy Arakawa, Was Alive For At Least One Full Day After Authorities Thought She'd Died
Earlier this month, the tragic details surrounding Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths were shared in a press conference, with authorities determining that Betsy, 63, had died a full week before her 95-year-old husband, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. For reference, the couple and one of their pet dogs were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26, with it initially speculated that they had died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. It was later confirmed that the Santa Fe City Fire Department had not found any evidence of a leak in the property. The search warrant affidavit also revealed that Hackman and Arakawa's bodies were found after two maintenance workers for the gated community where they lived called 911, and that nobody had seen the couple for two weeks. Arakawa's body was found on the floor of a bathroom on the ground floor of the residence, with an orange prescription bottle close by and pills scattered on the counter. The affidavit stated that her body 'showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.' Hackman's body was found in a 'similar' condition in what is thought to have been a mud room close to the kitchen. The deputies on the scene suspected he had 'suddenly fallen,' and sunglasses and a walking cane were found close to his body. It was later confirmed that the dead dog, Zinna, was found in a crate in the bathroom closet. Authorities said the pet had been picked up from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9, following a procedure, which might be why it was kept in a crate in the couple's home. Two healthy dogs were also found on the property. In a press conference with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator's chief medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, on Mar. 7, it was said that Hackman had likely died on Feb. 18, as this was the last day any heart activity was recorded by his pacemaker. It is thought that the actor died of cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's disease as a "significant contributory factor.' No food was found in his stomach at the time of his death. Meanwhile, it was thought that Arakawa had died on Feb. 11, with Dr. Jarrell saying that her cause of death was hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease carried by rodents that can cause flulike symptoms and affect the lungs and heart. However, new evidence came to light on Monday, when the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Arakawa was actually still alive on Feb. 12. They said that the classical pianist made multiple calls to a health clinic for medical treatment one day after she was initially believed to have died. Sam Wasson / Getty Images The sheriff's office explained that they only learned of the calls when they received the cellphone data from her phone, and that three calls were made to Cloudberry Health, a personalized medical practice in the local area, on the morning of Feb. 12. She also received a call from the clinic that same day. Cloudberry Health's Dr. Josiah Child told the BBC that Arakawa reached out to them for medical advice, but they never treated either her or Hackman. He added to the publication: 'She called and described some congestion but didn't mention any respiratory distress, shortness of breath, or chest pain.' Dr. Child also said that Arakawa had an appointment scheduled for Feb. 12, but canceled it on Feb. 10 because she needed to care for her husband. When she called seeking treatment on Feb. 12, the clinic told Arakawa that she needed to be seen in person. "There were a couple of calls back and forth to just schedule that appointment for the afternoon, but she never showed up," Dr Child said. "Our office called back several times and never got an answer." Addressing the confusion over Arakawa's date of death, the sheriff's office noted that they never officially reported it to be on Feb. 11; this was just the date of her last known activity. On Feb. 11, Arakawa is said to have exchanged emails with a massage therapist, visited a grocery store, pharmacy, and pet store, and returned home at around 5:15 p.m., according to data obtained from a garage clicker. Either way, it is still thought that Arakawa died days before Hackman, and Dr. Jarrell previously shed some light on how difficult Hackman's final week of life would have been. She explained that due to his advanced Alzheimer's, it is "quite possible that he was not aware that she [his wife] was deceased.' Officials found no evidence that Hackman communicated with anybody after Arakawa's death, and they could not determine if he would have been able to care for himself. Neurologist Dr. Brendan Kelley said that Alzheimer's disease can leave patients unable to act on their own emotional discomfort, including eating, sleeping, and bathing themselves. "A person might feel worried or frightened, but at the same time they might not be capable to take the actions that you or I might normally think to do in order to alleviate that worry or concern, such as calling somebody else, or going to speak to a neighbor,' he said during the Mar. 7 press conference. The update to the case's timeline comes after the BBC revealed that Hackman had left his entire $80 million fortune to Arakawa in his will, leaving uncertainty over who will inherit his estate. Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Hackman has three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, 65-year-old Christopher, 62-year-old Elizabeth, and 58-year-old Leslie, but none of them were mentioned in his legal documents.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman's cause of death revealed by medical examiner
New Mexico officials have announced what led to the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor, Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, announced in a March 7 press conference. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his death," said Jarrell, who performed Hackman's autopsy. Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which is caused by hantavirus, a rare infection primarily spread by rodents through their urine, saliva, and droppings, Jarrell revealed. Tests showed that Hackman did not test positive for hantavirus. Hackman's autopsy showed no findings of trauma and showed "severe heart disease," including multiple heart surgeries, evidence of prior heart attacks and changes to the kidneys due to high blood pressure. Examination of Hackman's brain showed advanced Alzheimer's disease. Based on the findings, authorities have concluded that Arakawa died before her husband. Arakawa's emails and text communications ceased on Feb. 11, said Jarrell. Hackman is believed to have died around Feb. 18. The update on the couple's causes of death comes after Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Feb. 26. The bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were discovered by two maintenance workers visiting the property, authorities said. Hackman was found in a room near the kitchen and Arakawa, a classical pianist, was found lying on her side in the bathroom. One of their dogs was also found dead, while two other dogs were found alive. Their causes of deaths were not immediately determined, and the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department said initially in a statement that no foul play was suspected. However, in a subsequent Feb. 28 press conference, Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza said investigators were 'not ruling it out' and described the deaths as 'suspicious.' Mendoza also said the pair seemed to have been 'deceased for quite a while.' He noted in the press conference that Feb. 17 was the last day Hackman's pacemaker had recorded an 'event,' meaning that day was likely his 'last day of life.' Authorities launched an investigation into the deaths to determine whether there were any signs of a carbon monoxide leak at the property. Officials also performed an autopsy and toxicology reports. Hackman and Arakawa both tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning in their autopsies. The Santa Fe City Fire Department also conducted testing and did not locate any signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, according to the search warrant. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be emitted by appliances or engines. When too much carbon monoxide builds up in an unventilated space, it can lead to tissue damage or death, according to the Mayo Clinic. Two police deputies investigated the scene and found Arakawa lying on her side on a bathroom floor. A space heater was found near her head and an open prescription bottle was found on the bathroom countertop with scattered pills nearby, according to a search warrant obtained by NBC News. Hackman was found deceased in a room near the kitchen, wearing sweatpants and slippers and with a walking cane nearby, leading the deputies to suspect the actor had 'suddenly fallen,' according to the search warrant. One dog, believed to be the couple's Australian kelpie mix, Zinnia, was also found dead in the bathroom closet. The couple's two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, meanwhile, were found alive on the property, according to the Associated Press. Officials noted in their search warrant that when Arakawa's body was discovered, she 'showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.' Hackman 'also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent' with his late wife, officials said. During their initial search of Hackman's and Arakawa's property, authorities did not find any signs of forced entry or evidence that any items were disturbed, stolen or 'out of place,' according to the search warrant. The front door was found 'insecure and opened' by the two maintenance workers, leading officials to determine that the circumstances around their deaths were 'suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,' according to the search warrant. As part of the investigation, authorities are analyzing personal items retrieved from the home, including a monthly planner and two cell phones, according to the Associated Press. This article was originally published on
Washington Post
07-03-2025
- Washington Post
New details in Gene Hackman death investigation expected Friday
New Mexico authorities are expected to release new details Friday afternoon about the investigation into the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were both found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home last month. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, whose office is leading the death investigation, will hold a joint news conference at 2 p.m. local time with officials from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the New Mexico Department of Health and the Santa Fe City Fire Department.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gene Hackman death mystery: Sheriff to provide updates on Friday
Authorities will provide updates Friday in the investigation into the mysterious deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home last week under "suspicious" circumstances. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza will speak at a news conference at 2 p.m. Mountain time. He'll be joined by officials from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigators, the Santa Fe City Fire Department and the New Mexico Department of Health, according to the sheriff's office. The Academy Award-winning actor, 95, and his wife, 65, were found dead during a welfare check on Feb. 26, with no obvious signs of how they died, the sheriff's office said. MORE: Gene Hackman's 2 surviving dogs are 'safe and adjusting,' friend says The couple's cause and manner of death have not been determined. They tested negative for carbon monoxide and the New Mexico Gas Company has concluded its investigation for carbon monoxide at the home, saying there were "no significant findings" of leaks. Authorities said their deaths were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," according to a search warrant affidavit. MORE: Gene Hackman, Oscar-winning star of 'Hoosiers' and 'Unforgiven,' dies at 95 Hackman was discovered on the floor in the mud room, according to the search warrant. It appeared he fell suddenly, and he and his wife "showed obvious signs of death," the document said. Hackman is believed to have died on Feb. 17 -- nine days before the bodies were found -- Mendoza said, noting that was the date of the last recorded "event" on his pacemaker. Arakawa was found lying on her side on the floor in a bathroom, with a space heater near her body, according to the search warrant. Her body showed signs of decomposition; there was mummification to her hands and feet, the document said. MORE: Gene Hackman and his wife test negative for carbon monoxide after mysteriously found dead On the counter near Arakawa was an opened prescription bottle, with pills scattered, according to the search warrant. One of the couple's three dogs was found dead in a crate about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa's body, officials said. But their two other dogs were found alive. It appeared they had access to a doggy door; one dog was found near Arakawa's body and the other was located outside, according to Mendoza. Gene Hackman death mystery: Sheriff to provide updates on Friday originally appeared on
