Investigation into Gene Hackman and Wife’s Mysterious Deaths Unfolds in Santa Fe

Investigation into Gene Hackman and Wife’s Mysterious Deaths Unfolds in Santa Fe

Gene Hackman, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog, was discovered dead in their Santa Fe residence over a week ago. This incident, which has sparked widespread interest, is currently under rigorous investigation by local authorities.

According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, detectives have categorized their deaths as “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.” The authorities’ prompt response included launching a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding their untimely demise.

New Mexico officials have stated that initial examinations revealed no signs of external trauma on either Hackman or Arakawa. As the situation continues to develop, the authorities are awaiting autopsy and toxicology results to shed light on this tragic event.

Details of the Investigation

During a press conference, Sheriff Adan Mendoza indicated that investigators are struggling to establish a clear timeline of events leading up to the couple’s deaths. He expressed the challenge faced by law enforcement in piecing together the timeline, stating, “One of the things is, in an investigation, we try to piece the timeline together, usually before the event happens, and that gives us a lot of information. But in this case, it seems like we’re doing a reverse timeline.”

This unique situation complicates the investigation, as officers must work backwards from the time of death to build a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired. Mendoza emphasized the importance of thoroughly reviewing both the timeline and the autopsy results to ascertain what transpired.

Findings and Evidence

Authorities confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide. On February 26, following the discovery of their bodies, assessments conducted by the Santa Fe City Fire Department revealed no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. This finding has led investigators to look deeper into other potential causes of death.

Details from the search warrant revealed a number of items retrieved from the couple’s home. These included two cell phones, medical records, a 2025 planner, prescription medication for thyroid and blood pressure issues, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Notably, an orange prescription bottle was found open, with pills scattered across the countertop, raising further questions about the couple’s health leading up to their deaths.

Scene of Discovery

The couple’s bodies were found on February 26 by maintenance workers, Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay. Kesler, who had served as a personal contractor for Hackman and Arakawa for over 16 years, made the urgent 911 call after discovering the scene.

Arakawa was located in the bathroom, showing obvious signs of death, while Hackman was found nearby in the mudroom. His cane and sunglasses were discovered next to him, reinforcing the notion of an unexpected and sudden demise.

Reports indicate that Arakawa’s body exhibited signs of significant decomposition, such as facial bloating and mummification of her hands and feet, which mirrors similar conditions found on Hackman’s body. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department noted that both individuals appeared to have been deceased for an extended period.

Further Investigations

In light of the nature of their deaths, the New Mexico Gas Company conducted an extensive investigation for gas leaks in the vicinity of the couple’s home. On February 26, they also reported no significant findings regarding carbon monoxide or gas leaks, with only a minuscule leak detected at one of the stove burners. Furthermore, the gas company issued four