The New Mexico Gas Company has released their findings after an “extensive investigation” of actor Gene Hackman’s home one week after he was found deceased.
On February 26, actor Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home. There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play, leaving authorities with more questions than answers.
Initial suspicion was that they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Preliminary tests showed no indication that the toxic gas was present in the home. And expedited pathology tests revealed that both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide.
The sheriff’s office issued an update on the investigation on Tuesday, March 4, and revealed that the New Mexico Gas Company had conducted a thorough investigation of Hackman’s home the night after the bodies were discovered. After an “extensive search” for gas leaks and carbon monoxide, the company concluded that there were “no significant findings,” ruling out the possibility that the couple died due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
However, they did issue five “red tag” notifications for code violations. Those included a minor leak at a stove burner that was not lethal. Other violations were noted at a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces.
The sheriff added that the results are “not believed to be a factor in the deaths of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, or their dog.” The results were forwarded to the Office of the Medical Investigator “for consideration.”
About Gene Hackman’s Death
Authorities responded to a call for help at Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman’s home after a caretaker in their subdivision saw Arakawa lying motionless on the floor through a window.
When they arrived, authorities discovered Hackman, Arakawa, and their dog deceased in the home. The “Unforgiven” actor was found in a mudroom with his cane and glasses nearby. Arakawa was discovered in a bathroom near a space heater with pills scattered on the countertop and prescription medication bottles nearby.
Arakawa’s body showed “decomposition, bloating in her face” and mummification of her hands and feet. Initial reports state that Hackman’s body was in a similar condition.
RELATED: GENE HACKMAN’S FAMILY ISSUES STATEMENT FOLLOWING HIS DEATH
In a press conference on Friday (February 28), Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared the results of initial tests performed on the bodies. Those tests revealed that the last activity on Hackman’s pacemaker was recorded on February 17, 9 days before his body was discovered.
When asked if the last event captured on the pacemaker indicated the actor’s day of death, the sheriff replied, “According to the pathologist, I think that’s a very good assumption.”
Gene Hackman’s nephew has spoken out about the death of his uncle.
In a new interview with US Weekly, Tim Hackman, son of Gene’s brother and stuntman, said that the family doesn’t want to speculate about the deaths but admitted that there are questions.
“We’re waiting on toxicology. That will tell us everything,” Tim Hackman told the outlet. “It’s hard to theorize. There are lots of theories out there, and I don’t want to speculate. It’s easy to speculate negative theories.”
While the family wants to remain positive, Tim admits that the circumstances surrounding his uncle’s death have raised some questions.
“My uncle was 95 years old at an age where you think about, ‘OK, it’s time,’” Tim said. “But from the circumstances now, things have changed a bit. It’s a major change.”
The investigation into Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s deaths is still underway. Official autopsy reports could be pending for several months.