Posted on 02/28/2025 4:09:58 PM PST by nickcarraway
The couple was found during a welfare check with no signs of how they died.
Actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, both tested negative for carbon monoxide, authorities revealed Friday, amid an investigation after they were both mysteriously found dead alongside one of their dogs at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office Adan Mendoza said he believes that carbon monoxide is ruled out as a possible cause of death.
Hackman is believed to have died on Feb. 17, Mendoza also said Friday, noting that was the date of the last recorded "event" on his pacemaker.
A cause and manner of death remain pending, he said. Investigators are still awaiting full autopsy results and toxicology reports, he said.
The couple was found on Wednesday during a welfare check with no obvious signs of how they died, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office.
However, their deaths were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation" due to all of the "circumstances surrounding" the scene, according to the search warrant affidavit.
There was no external trauma to either of them which led officials to conduct testing for carbon monoxide and toxicology with the official results pending, the sheriff's office said.
In a Thursday search of the couple's home, investigators recovered two cellphones, thyroid medication, blood pressure medication, Tylenol, a 2025 monthly planner and health records, court records show.
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.
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, and her body showed signs of decomposition due to some mummification to her hands and feet.
On the counter near Arakawa was an opened prescription bottle, with pills scattered, according to the search warrant.
A German shepherd was found dead about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa, the document said. That dog was in a crate or a kennel, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. Two other dogs owned by the couple survived, though officials said both had access to a doggy door.
The Santa Fe City Fire Department found no signs of a possible carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, the document said. But, if there was carbon monoxide at the scene, it could have vented out of the home through the open front door before responders arrived.
New Mexico Gas Company also responded, "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence," the document said.
Two maintenance workers said they hadn't heard from Hackman and Arakawa in about two weeks, the document said.
A maintenance worker who initially responded to the home found the front door open but there were no signs of forced entry or that anything had been stolen, the document said.
There was no indication of a crime and "there could be a multitude of reasons why the door was open," the sheriff told reporters Thursday.
There was "no obvious sign or indication of foul play," but authorities "haven't ruled that out yet," the sheriff said.
Investigators are "keeping everything on the table," he added.
Hhahaa true…One of the things I liked best about the show was the plain appearance and manner of Columbo, in juxtaposition with the stunning confidence with which he would unravel the mystery and visualize what actually happened. Little talk with lots of decisive (mental) action.
The man couldnt be bothered to act or speak brilliantly, he was too busy BEING brilliant. Holmes without the artistic temperament and aristocratic manner - an American working-class Sherlock for our times.
“It’s sad that none of them looked in on them for two whole weeks.”
Or did they? What’s in the Will? Who’s in the Will?
My theory, FWIW:
She had some kind of medical episode in the bathroom and collapsed. The pills scattered as she fell.
She had locked up the dog right before this. (Dog was being a nuisance perhaps?)
Hackman found her, and he was heading outside to see if any of the hired help were around.
He fell down in the mudroom and couldn’t get up. His glasses and cane were found next to him. He died there, unable to lift himself. This happened to my mom at age 85. She fell in the bathroom. She was on the floor for 20 hours, and then fortunately a neighbor stopped by the house to check on her.
I read an article saying the pills were thyroid and another were Tylenol based.
The article said these even if taken in large quantities would typically not cause death by overdose.
In my view the pills are the biggest problem.
It’s looks like “amateur staging” to me.
Still her cause of death holds the key as she appeared to be a very healthy 63 year old.
And he and his wife “showed obvious signs of death...”
Ya mean like being dead for 2 weeks and partially mummified?
As an aside, I can barely stand to read news anymore as it’s so poorly written it gives me fits.
CC
I can definitely say his wife is out.
On face, that seems to benefit the rest of the family.
Upon further thought, the dog in the kennel is rational. Perhaps they put this particular dog in a kennel at bedtime because it pees in the house at night. This would indicate his or her death occurred during the night or early morning, otherwise the dog would've been released from the kennel.
Number One Suspect is still gas (and still, probably CO). Probably “just enough” to cause what was found.
In addition, at altitude, occasionally, groups of deer are found dead in New Mexico. One theory, re cause, is that gas leaks from mountain range cracks in the earth.
“Or did they?”
Good point.
“I can barely stand to read news anymore as it’s so poorly written it gives me fits.”
I hear that.
That’s a plausible theory, good thinking.
“In addition, at altitude, occasionally, groups of deer are found dead in New Mexico. One theory, re cause, is that gas leaks from mountain range cracks in the earth.”
I assume humans have died that way as well, interesting.
“Just one more thing.”
“...occasionally, groups of deer are found dead in New Mexico. One theory, re cause, is that gas leaks from mountain range cracks in the earth.”
Lightning kills animals and humans in groups also.
And 65 year-old Asian women who are into fitness don't just die. They were whacked.
I hear that.
I'm sorry for your lost.
But, if there was carbon monoxide at the scene, it could have vented out of the home through the open front door before responders arrived.
= = =
And would it still be in the blood, after all that time?
They said they hadn’t talked to him in a couple of months. A 95 year old Dad that you don’t talk to for months?
Maybe a druggie broke in the house and hit both of them in the head with a weapon erik, then emptied their drug cabinet looking for a certain drug.
My daughter ensures I check in her every day via text messages, and I’m 64.
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