Gene Hackman’s Death: Pathologist Shares One Possible Explanation After Autopsy

​The entertainment world is mourning the sudden demise of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa. The couple, along with one of their dogs, were found deceased under mysterious circumstances on February 26, 2025, in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. Hackman was 95; Arakawa was 65.

According to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, there was no immediate indication of foul play. He did not provide a cause of death or say when the couple might have died. However, the circumstances surrounding their passing remain a mystery.

Hackman had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s. He married Arakawa in 1991, and the two lived a private life in their secluded home. Before their bodies were found, deputies had arrived at their residence on Old Sunset Trail after receiving an unspecified report. It remains unclear whether it was a welfare check or a response to a call.

It was during this time that the cops discovered their lifeless bodies. As authorities pieced together a timeline, one detail stood out—Hackman’s pacemaker had stopped functioning on February 17. They suggested that the actor had been dead for nine days before being discovered.

“I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life,” Mendoza told reporters at a press conference on Friday, Feb. 28.

But that was just one piece of the puzzle. Hackman and Arakawa were found in different parts of the house. Arakawa’s body lay in the bathroom, near a space heater, an open bottle of pills beside her.

The search warrant affidavit noted signs of “mummification,” suggesting she had been gone for some time. Hackman, found elsewhere, showed similar signs of death. Two other dogs were discovered alive inside the home.

The biggest question still remains: Who passed away first? Sheriff Mendoza admitted that was “a very hard thing to determine.” Without clear answers, theories began to swirl.

Initially, Hackman’s family suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. It seemed a plausible explanation for their sudden and simultaneous deaths. However, authorities have ruled that out. Toxicology tests showed no signs of the compound in their systems.

Despite the unusual circumstances, investigators do not suspect foul play. There were no signs of forced entry, violence, or struggle.

A Tragic Chain of Events

As questions surrounding the couple’s deaths persist, a leading forensic pathologist has offered one possible explanation. Dr. Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, suggested that Hackman’s death may have been the result of cardiac arrest—an event possibly recorded by his pacemaker.

Speaking on “Fox Report,” Baden explained that the device, which last logged activity on February 17, may hold critical insights. “That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate,” he said.

He noted that pacemakers track pulse rates and discharge when they drop too low, leaving behind a detailed record. “And that’s all in the record.”

The autopsy confirmed there were no external injuries or signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Baden pointed to another common factor—heart disease.

“The most common cause of death in this country,” he said, referring to severe coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. He theorized that Hackman may have suffered a fatal cardiac event, collapsing in the mudroom where he was later found.

Dr. Baden also offered a possible explanation for Arakawa’s death, suggesting she may have been trying to help her husband in his final moments. He theorized that upon discovering Hackman unresponsive, she might have rushed to retrieve his blood pressure medication from the bathroom.

According to a search warrant affidavit, authorities found bottles of thyroid medication, blood pressure pills, and Tylenol in the bathroom.

Baden speculated that in her haste, Arakawa may have suffered a fatal accident. “She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside,” he explained.

Another possibility, Baden noted, was an undiagnosed heart condition. At 65, Arakawa may have had severe heart disease, and the shock of the moment could have triggered a fatal cardiac event. However, he emphasized that a head injury seemed more likely. “I think the first, that striking her head would be more common,” he said.

Clues from the Scene

Authorities believe Hackman may have collapsed unexpectedly. A search warrant affidavit detailed the discovery of his body. He was fully clothed, lying near a pair of sunglasses and a walking cane. Investigators noted these details suggested he had “suddenly fallen.”

The situation inside the home grew even more complex with the discovery of the couple’s German Shepherd. The affidavit stated that the dog was found deceased in a closet inside the bathroom, roughly 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa. Meanwhile, two other dogs were found alive—one near Arakawa’s body and another outside the residence.

Dr. Baden initially found the dog’s death puzzling, especially since it had been free inside the home. “And that’s why I think that the carbon monoxide[theory] was a very good thought with them breathing in the same air.” he said.

However, investigators later revealed that the German Shepherd had likely died from dehydration after being confined in a kennel for nine days.

Dr. Baden also pointed out that the couple’s secluded lifestyle may have played a role in the delay of an emergency response. With no one else around, there was no immediate call for help. “That may have been the reason that 911 wasn’t called, for example, while his wife was trying to get him some medication and fell,” he explained.

The tragic nature of their passing was further amplified by Hackman’s legacy. “The circumstances and who he was—he was beloved by so many—are what make it so unusual,” Baden said.

Gene Hackman’s death marks the end of an era. The two-time Academy Award winner, best known for his roles in The French Connection and “Unforgiven,” built a career that spanned decades. His performances left an indelible mark on Hollywood, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations to come.

News of Hackman and his wife’s deaths has sparked an outpouring of emotions online, with many struggling to process the shocking loss. Social media has been flooded with tributes and speculation as fans try to make sense of the tragedy.

“Heartbreaking,” one person simply wrote, capturing the sentiment of many. Another reflected on Hackman’s legacy, saying, “So sad! Glad he had a long, productive life, though.” Others, however, couldn’t shake the lingering mystery. “Lots of unanswered questions,” a third person noted—echoing the very thoughts investigators are working to resolve.