Fire Chief Provides Major Update On Gene Hackman’s Death After Uncovering Tragic Detail
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe Summit home last month. While initial reports ruled out foul play, speculation about their cause of death continued. Now, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya has revealed a crucial detail that sheds new light on their passing.
Moya confirmed that Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, likely died around the same time.
“Just because both bodies were in similar ways where we, as experts, sad to say that we know a lot about how people die and how long people are dead for – both bodies are in a similar manner that it could be a similar timeframe,” he told Fox News Digital on March 5. This suggests a simultaneous or near-simultaneous medical event, though official autopsy results are still pending.
No Foul Play, But The Mystery Remains
Authorities have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning or a gas leak. Initial tests by the Santa Fe City Fire Department found no signs of hazardous leaks, and the New Mexico Gas Company confirmed that only a “minuscule” amount of gas was detected near a stove burner- far from a lethal level.
Investigators found Gene Hackman in a mudroom and Arakawa in a bathroom beside a space heater. A prescription bottle was open nearby, with pills scattered on the counter. However, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has not linked these findings to their deaths. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Denise Avila confirmed there were no visible wounds or signs of violence.
The last recorded activity from Hackman’s pacemaker was on February 17, nine days before their bodies were discovered. This timeline raises further questions about the circumstances of their deaths. Officials continue to examine medical records and toxicology reports to determine what may have caused the couple’s tragic end.
The entertainment world mourns the loss of Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner known for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven. Fans and colleagues await conclusions from authorities, hoping for clarity on what led to the beloved actor’s passing.
