How Did Gene Hackman and His Wife Die? Famed Forensic Pathologist Offers Theory

Mar. 15, 2025

A prominent forensic pathologist theorized that the deaths ofGene HackmanandBetsy Arakawacould have been accidental.Hackman, 95, and his wife, Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, N.M., on Feb. 26. They were discovered in different parts of the home and had both been dead for several days, according to authorities.Also found in the home was a deceased dog.At a press conference on Feb. 28, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Hackman’spacemaker was last operational on Feb. 17, nine days before he was ultimately found.Dr. Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, said in an interview with Fox News’Fox Report,that it’s possible Hackman could have suffered cardiac arrest.“So the autopsy showed he didn’t have any injury,” Baden told the show. “There was no carbon monoxide. And he had — the most common cause of death in this country — severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure perhaps, from what’s been released.“Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettyBaden further theorized that Arakawa, who was found dead in the bathroom next to a bottle of prescription medication and a space heater, could have found her husband and hurriedly went to grab his blood pressure medication.The pills found in the bathroom included thyroid medication, blood pressure medication and Tylenol, according to a search warrant affidaivt.Baden said it’s possible that in a rush to help Hackman, Arakawa could have fallen herself.“She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside or bleeding in the inside of the brain,” he toldFox Report.The deceased German Shepherd was found several feet away from Arakawa. Baden said if the dog was unable to access water during the nine-day stretch between when Hackman’s pacemaker stopped and when he was found, the dog could have just died from dehydration.Two other dogs were found alive outside the house.Arakawa’s body was found showing signs of “mummification,” police said, suggesting that she had been dead for days. Hackman was found fully clothed near a pair of his sunglasses, suggesting that he had fallen, police said.Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, had been married since 1991.

A prominent forensic pathologist theorized that the deaths ofGene HackmanandBetsy Arakawacould have been accidental.

Hackman, 95, and his wife, Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, N.M., on Feb. 26. They were discovered in different parts of the home and had both been dead for several days, according to authorities.

Also found in the home was a deceased dog.

At a press conference on Feb. 28, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Hackman’spacemaker was last operational on Feb. 17, nine days before he was ultimately found.

Dr. Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, said in an interview with Fox News’Fox Report,that it’s possible Hackman could have suffered cardiac arrest.

“So the autopsy showed he didn’t have any injury,” Baden told the show. “There was no carbon monoxide. And he had — the most common cause of death in this country — severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure perhaps, from what’s been released.”

Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Baden further theorized that Arakawa, who was found dead in the bathroom next to a bottle of prescription medication and a space heater, could have found her husband and hurriedly went to grab his blood pressure medication.

The pills found in the bathroom included thyroid medication, blood pressure medication and Tylenol, according to a search warrant affidaivt.

Baden said it’s possible that in a rush to help Hackman, Arakawa could have fallen herself.

“She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside or bleeding in the inside of the brain,” he toldFox Report.

The deceased German Shepherd was found several feet away from Arakawa. Baden said if the dog was unable to access water during the nine-day stretch between when Hackman’s pacemaker stopped and when he was found, the dog could have just died from dehydration.

Two other dogs were found alive outside the house.

Arakawa’s body was found showing signs of “mummification,” police said, suggesting that she had been dead for days. Hackman was found fully clothed near a pair of his sunglasses, suggesting that he had fallen, police said.

Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, had been married since 1991.

source: people.com