Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, leaving authorities working to determine the cause and time of their deaths. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza stated on Friday that initial testing for carbon monoxide exposure was negative and that no external trauma was detected on either body. "Both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide," Sheriff Mendoza said, relaying information he received from Dr. Heather Jarrell, a pathologist with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.
According to officials, Hackman was 93 while Arakawa was 64, though other reports have mentioned slightly different ages. Investigators revealed that Hackman's pacemaker last registered activity on February 17, providing a potential timeline for his death. Mendoza explained, "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life." Hackman's body was located on the floor of the mudroom off the kitchen, while Arakawa was found in a nearby bathroom with a deceased German shepherd. Two other dogs survived.
Deputies were first alerted to the situation by a maintenance crew in the gated community of Santa Fe Summit who said they had not seen or heard from the couple in roughly two weeks. An on-site caretaker called 911 upon seeing the bodies through the windows, prompting law enforcement to perform a welfare check. The sheriff's department seized items from the scene, including two cell phones, medication, medical records, and a 2025 monthly planner. Mendoza noted, "It could be a month or three months or longer in my experience," when asked how long toxicology tests might take to reveal more conclusive information.
Arakawa's body reportedly showed signs of mummification, and Hackman's condition was "similar and consistent," according to the search warrant affidavit. Mendoza mentioned that authorities are "trying to put together a timeline of when the decedents were last seen or spoken to," but the pair were known to be private individuals, making it difficult to ascertain precise details about their final days. "It appears [they had been deceased for] several days and possibly even up to a couple weeks," he said.
The New Mexico Gas Company performed checks on the property after the Santa Fe City Fire Department found no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak. One concern, as outlined in the search warrant, was that if the front door was open for an extended period, any buildup of toxic gas could have dissipated. But Sheriff Mendoza said he believes the door was not forced open and that there were "several doors that were unlocked."
Investigators are also looking into a scattering of prescription pills discovered in the bathroom near Arakawa, calling them "very important evidence at the scene." Sheriff Mendoza stressed that "the pills as well as other medication possibly in the home are 'something of concern.'" Additionally, he said that while he remains "pretty confident" there was no foul play, authorities "are not ruling it out" until the autopsy results confirm a clear cause and manner of death.
Questions remain about the couple's final moments. Sheriff Mendoza suggested that both may have fallen and died around the same timeframe, saying, he thinks it was "sudden death." He added that the "autopsy report is going to be key to this investigation." Fire Chief Brian Moya echoed that resuscitation was not attempted because the couple was clearly deceased upon the arrival of first responders.
As for the couple's dogs, one German shepherd was found dead near Arakawa, but two others were roaming freely on the property. The Santa Fe County Animal Control Division has taken steps to ensure their welfare and safety. Hackman's daughter Leslie said she had not seen her father or stepmother in a few months but believed everything was "normal and good," noting the actor was doing Pilates and yoga multiple times a week.
