Here’s How Gene Hackman And His Wife Likely Died, According to Pathologist

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.

Now, a renowned pathologist is weighing in to give his thoughts on how Hackman and Arakawa may have died.

Pathologist Sounds Off

James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, believes that Hackman and Arakawa died of natural causes, despite the strange findings at the house.

“From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems like he may have collapsed,” Gill told People Magazine. “He’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual.  But the unusual part is that why then did she also collapse? Assuming she would’ve found him. There is this thing where the stress of seeing someone die that could have triggered a natural death in her.”

Gill went on to say that it’s possible that Arakwa died first. In that scenario, Hackman potentially “found her and was going out to get help or get his phone. He then collapsed from the stress of that, too. Just as likely. He’s older, he’s got known heart disease. But the autopsy would certainly show if she had heart disease or cancer or what have you.”

Related: Gene Hackman, 95, And Wife Found ‘Mummified’ – Police Say Deaths Are ‘Suspicious’

‘A Broken Heart-Type Thing’

Though it seems highly unusual, Gill explained that a couple dying at the same time naturally “has been known to happen, kind of a broken heart-type thing, almost.”

“Suddenly finding your loved one dead on the floor that can increase your adrenaline and that stimulates your heart to beat faster, and that can put your heart into an irregular rhythm,” Gill stated. He added that after finding a loved one, “people get very despondent and they do something to take their own life, and that may be with pills or what have you. I think the toxicology workup will be helpful in excluding causes such as an intoxication or injuries.”

“I think the autopsy and the toxicology testing is what’s needed to be seen in order to make that final determination,” Gill concluded. “Otherwise, it’s kind of speculation at this point.”

Related: Gene Hackman, 95, Was ‘Murdered,’ Hollywood Legend Randy Quaid Alleges

New Mexico Gas Company Weighs In

Meanwhile, the New Mexico Gas Company told Fox News that it has “confirmed it conducted an extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide.” Indeed, 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.

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.