Authorities investigating the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning and a significant gas leak as potential causes, leaving questions unanswered about what led to their sudden passing. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department confirmed that a gas company found only a "minuscule" leak at the couple's New Mexico home, but it was not enough to be lethal.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 63, were discovered dead on February 26 after a maintenance worker or neighbor requested a welfare check, stating they had not been seen or heard from in weeks. Sheriff Adan Mendoza said an initial interrogation of Hackman's pacemaker suggested his "last event" was recorded on February 17, indicating the couple may have been deceased for nine days before being found.
The New Mexico Gas Company conducted an extensive inspection of the property and found a leak registering at 0.33% gas in the air from one of the stove burners. However, officials emphasized that this was not at a level that could cause harm. "The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations - not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide - involving a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces," a press release stated.
Initial speculation from the actor's family suggested toxic fumes may have played a role in their deaths, but Mendoza confirmed that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning. Investigators continue to search for answers as autopsy and toxicology reports remain pending.
Hackman's body was found near the kitchen in a room off the main area of the house, while Arakawa was discovered on the bathroom floor. A deceased dog was located nearby in a closet, while two other dogs-one outside and another near Arakawa-were still alive. The scene prompted authorities to declare the deaths "suspicious" in an affidavit seeking a search warrant. Deputies noted the front door was left open, pills were scattered near Arakawa, and a heater had been moved. However, there were no signs of forced entry or foul play.
Authorities seized two cell phones and multiple bottles of medications from the home. Mendoza stated that privacy laws prevented him from disclosing to whom the medication was prescribed or its purpose. "I think the autopsy report is going to be key to this investigator," he said, adding that it remains "difficult to determine" whether the couple died at the same time. "There's no indication that anybody was moving about the house or doing anything different, so it's very hard to determine if they both passed at the same time or how close they passed together."
The case has drawn national attention due to Hackman's stature as a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, known for films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Despite retiring from acting in 2004, he remained a revered figure in Hollywood and had been living a quiet life with Arakawa in Santa Fe.
