Gene Hackman and Wife's Deaths Remain a Mystery as Investigators Rule Out Foul Play

The iconic actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their New Mexico home, with theories emerging about possible medical and accidental causes.

Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on February 26, alongside a deceased dog.
Authorities have ruled out foul play and carbon monoxide poisoning, and preliminary autopsies revealed no external trauma on either body.
Dr. Michael Baden, a renowned forensic pathologist, theorized Hackman may have suffered cardiac arrest, while Arakawa might have fallen while attempting to assist him.
Friends and family offered conflicting accounts of Hackman’s health, with some describing him as slowing down in recent months, while others insisted he remained active and fit.
The investigation continues as officials await final autopsy and toxicology reports to determine the exact causes of death.