It’s been one week since the two-time Oscar-winning star Gene Hackman was found dead at the age of 95 in his Santa Fe, New Mexico mansion. Also discovered were the bodies of Hackman’s 65 year-old wife Betsy Arakawa and one of their dogs.
New updates are coming in from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department as they continue to investigate these eerie deaths, and at least one important clue has been released.
Carbon Monoxide Ruled Out
The New Mexico Gas Company told Fox News that it has “confirmed it conducted an extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide.” The statement added that it made “no significant findings” at the couple’s home.
The gas company went on to say that there was “a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air – not a lethal amount) at one of the stove burners.” On top of that, there were four “red tags” for code enforcement violations. These involved “a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces.”
“The New Mexico Gas Company confirmed it conducted an extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide at Gene Hackman’s home on the early evening of February 26, 2025,” the press release continued.
Related: Gene Hackman, 95, And Wife Found ‘Mummified’ – Police Say Deaths Are ‘Suspicious’
Santa Fe County Sheriff Speaks Out
This comes after Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide. Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe mansion last Wednesday afternoon.
Police have since said that the deaths were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.” They added that Arakawa was found in a bathroom. Meanwhile, Hackman’s body was found in the home’s mudroom. Deputies said that it looked like he had “suddenly fallen.”
Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed on Friday that Hackman likely died at least nine days before his body was found. Indeed, the last “event” recorded on Hackman’s pacemaker occurred on February 17.
“According to the pathologist, I think it’s a good assumption that was his last day of life,” Mendoza told reporters.
Related: Gene Hackman, 95, Was ‘Murdered,’ Hollywood Legend Randy Quaid Alleges
A Complicated Case
Sheriff Mendoza went on to admit that this case is a complicated one.
“One of the things is, in an investigation we try to piece the timeline together, usually before the event happens, and that gives us a lot of information,” he explained. “But, in this case, it seems like we’re doing a reverse timeline.”
“We’re doing a timeline from the time of death and the autopsy and the results…we’re going to start working our way backwards,” he added. “We’re going to do both and then hopefully make a determination as to what may have happened to both of the individuals.”
During the Oscars on Sunday night, the 87 year-old actor Morgan Freeman paid tribute to Hackman. Check that out in the video below.
Hackman will always be remembered as one of the most talented movie stars of all time. We can only hope that his family gets the answers that they deserve about his shocking passing.
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