Investigating Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa’s “suspicious” death faces challenges

A few days after Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, family home, authorities continued to piece together possible schedules to explain the couple’s mysterious death.

Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, and a dog were found dead on February 26. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department considered the death to be “suspicious” and began an investigation.

Although the cause of Hackman and Arakawa’s death has not been released yet, authorities believe both have been dead for more than a week before their bodies were found.

Gene Hackman, Wife’s Cause of Death: Forensic Experts’ Perspective on “Unormal” Situation

That’s what we know.

Investigators have a hard time piece together, resulting in Gene Hackman’s death

The schedule of events that led to Hackman and Arakawa’s discovery remains hazy, as the couple knew little about their “seclusion” lifestyle before their mysterious death.

“One of the things is that during the investigation, we’re trying to piece together the schedule, which gives us a lot of information,” Santafe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza admitted in a press conference on Friday. “But in this case, it seems we’re doing a reverse schedule.

“We are doing a timeline starting with death and autopsy and results. We will start working backwards,” he added. “We will do it at the same time and then hope to make a determination about what may happen to both people.”

The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa faces challenges. (Jeffrey Mayer/Wireimage)

Sheriff Mendoza pointed out on Friday’s “Today” that sorting out the schedule will be a “challenge.”

“We tried to put things together, and this is the timeline for the last time we talked to the dead. Of course, we know that this is a challenge because they are very private people and a private family. So we are trying to put all that information together now.”

According to a list of search warrant inventory obtained by Fox News Digital, authorities caught two cell phones and a 2025 planner while searching the Santa Fe home.

Mendoza confirmed that authorities were studying “cell phone data, phone calls, text messages, events, photos” to “patch the schedule together.”

Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead on February 26.

On February 26, Hackman and Arakawa were discovered to have died in their home.

Arakawa was found lying on the floor in the bathroom of the couple’s house. According to the search warrant affidavit, there is a space heater on the floor next to her. Officials described the pianist as “obvious signs of death,” including bloating and mummy.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa got married in 1991. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The officer found Hackman in the couple’s mud room. Santa Fe County agent Joshua Thomas wrote in the search warrant affidavit that the “company” star seemed to have “suddenly fallen.” Hackman held the crutch with him and had sunglasses near his head.

Hackman also showed similar “signs of death”, just like his wife.

Watch: Gene Hackman and his wife may have been dead for over a week, authorities say

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Gene Hackman and his wife both tested negative for carbon monoxide

Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed at a press conference on Friday.

The couple’s Santa Fe residence tested carbon monoxide on February 26. The Santa Fe City Fire Department cleaned the house after finding no evidence of carbon monoxide leaks or poisoning.

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Urschke/Ullstein Bild by Getty Image)

The New Mexico Gas Company also responded to the scene and found “no sign or evidence” of pipeline problems at or near Hackman’s home.

Watch: Gene Hackman’s friend calls the actor’s death “a tragic mystery”

Gene Hackman’s pacemaker stops recording on February 17

Sheriff Mendoza confirmed that the last recorded event on Hackman’s pacemaker took place on February 17. Authorities assumed it was Hackman’s last day and the movie star’s body was not found for nine days.

“According to the pathologist, I think this is a good assumption for the last day of his life,” Mendoza said in a press conference on Friday.

Watch: Gene Hackman’s death makes it “so unusual”, forensic pathologist

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden said in a Fox Report appearance that Hackman’s pacemaker could provide key clues to Hackman’s death.

“This event will be due to cardiac arrest caused by abnormal pulse rate,” Baden explained. “The pacemaker tracks the pulse and when it drops too low, it drains. It’s all on record.”

“So the autopsy shows he was not injured,” the forensic pathologist continued. “There is no carbon monoxide. He is the most common cause of death in the country – possibly from the release of severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. So, this can cause him to fall into cardiac arrest in a muddy room in order to collapse there.”

The last recording activity of Gene Hackman’s pacemaker took place on February 17. (Media Family Entertainment/Everett Series)

Watch: Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has insight into Gene Hackman

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Pills found in the bathroom near Betsy Arakawa’s body

A prescription bottle was opened on the bathroom counter near Arakawa’s body, according to the search warrant affidavit. According to a search warrant inventory released by Fox News Digital, the pills were “scattered on the counter” and authorities took “thyroid drugs, blood pressure drugs and Tylenol” from home.

In one possible situation, Dr. Baden explained that Arakawa might rush to the bathroom to pick up Hackman’s medicine and fall into a hurry.

Authorities say Gene Hackman and his wife may have been dead for more than a week before they were found. (Dreamworks/Everett series)

“She may be hitting her head downwards, causing no internal damage to the inside of the brain that does not appear inside the brain,” the forensic pathologist noted.

“Or she could also have a serious heart disease and excitement at age 65 that can cause a heart rhythm trigger, which causes death in this case,” he added. “I think the first blow to her head would be more common.”

Authorities did not find any external trauma in Alakava’s body.

Hackman and his wife’s maintenance staff found no news about the couple in 2 weeks

Maintenance workers Jesse Kesler and Roland Lowe Begay discovered Hackman and Arakawa. Kesler, who served as the couple’s personal contractor for 16 years, made a crazy 911 call on February 26.

Gene Hackman’s cause of death has not been released. (Bravo/Everett series)

Kesler and Begay both told authorities that they last had contact with Hackman and Arakawa.

“Both people suggested they rarely see (of residence) when they were routinely maintained,” the search warrant affidavit read. “Boths indicate that they maintained contact with the homeowner via text messages and phone calls and communicated primarily with the heroine…”

Kesler has been a personal contractor for Hackman and Arakawa for more than 16 years and told Fox News Digital that he was “heartbroken”.

Kesler issued an official statement on Saturday, sharing that he would always comment on the “tragic incident” that led to the death of Hackman and Arakawa due to their privacy. However, he did share some kind words to the couple.

Listen to: Gene Hackman 911 Phone

“Gene and Betsy, thank you for the 16-year opportunity, friendship and trust you have provided. GeneHackman, thank you for taking advantage of a project over the years. I can’t believe I actually fought alongside the legend. Thank you for your equal treatment of my son and staff.

“Betsy Hackman, thank you for your years of friendship, generosity, opportunity and trust. Thank you for your love for dogs, including my own dog. Thank you for all your advice and comfort. Thank you for being such a beautiful person.

“You two will always be close to my heart, miss you so much. Love you both!” Kessler concluded.

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Larry Fink of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.