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Mystery over the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa: causes remain unclear

Authorities have not yet clarified how Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died, who were found dead in their home in Santa Fe

On 26 February, Gene Hackman, iconic 95-year-old actor, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The discovery, made by a maintenance worker who noticed the bodies through a window, shook public opinion, but the mystery surrounding the cause of death remains.

Initial hypotheses remain uncertain

Although days have passed since the discovery, the police have not yet provided clear answers as to what caused the couple’s death. The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were in different rooms: Hackman near the kitchen, casually dressed with his cane beside him, and Arakawa in the bathroom, where an overturned heater and some scattered pills were found. The advanced state of decomposition suggests that the couple had been dead for at least a week, perhaps even two.

Carbon monoxide hypothesis ruled out

Initially, carbon monoxide poisoning was thought to have occurred, given the simultaneous death of the couple and one of their dogs. However, checks carried out by the fire brigade and the gas company ruled out this possibility, further complicating the resolution of the case.

Unusual and suspicious circumstances

No signs of violence or injuries were found, but investigators are keeping a close eye on some ‘suspicious’ details. The door of the house was found ajar and the presence of drugs near the bodies raised questions. One of the hypotheses under investigation was that of a suicide pact, but this seems unlikely since the bodies were in separate rooms, a rare occurrence in collective suicides.

Alternative theories and the role of the dog

Another possibility is that one of the couple died of an illness and the other later, perhaps from an accidental overdose or a series of fatal events. However, until the results of autopsies and toxicological analyses are available, the causes will remain shrouded in doubt.

Among other details analysed, the death of the couple’s dog, Zinna, a 12-year-old female kelpie, appears to have occurred from hunger and thirst, as she was trapped in the house. The other two dogs, found loose outside, were found to be in good condition.

Waiting for definitive answers

Investigators are now waiting for autopsy results to shed light on the case, which remains a real enigma. Further examinations will be needed to clear up the mystery surrounding the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa, and only then can full light be shed on what happened.

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