It’s been more than a week since the decomposing bodies of beloved actor Gene Hackman, and his pianist wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered inside their home in Santa Fe — a mysterious case that has so far sparked more questions than answers.
New details, however, may soon emerge. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said it will provide an update during a press conference on Friday with officials from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the New Mexico Department of Health, and Santa Fe City Fire Department. It’s set to start 2 p.m. local time.
The couple was found on Feb. 26 in separate rooms of their grand mansion, tucked at the end of a cul-de-sac in the gated community called the Santa Fe Summit. Arakawa’s body — which “showed obvious signs of death,” including “decomposition, bloating in her face and mummifications in both hands and feet” — was on the floor of the bathroom, with “pills scattered” on a nearby countertop, according to a search warrant in the case.
Deputies also located a dead dog some 10 to 15 feet away from Arakawa, in the bathroom’s closet. Authorities initially identified the canine as one oft the couple’s German shepherds, but they now believe it to be their Australian kelpie mix.
Hackman was meanwhile found inside the home’s mudroom. Investigators said it looked like the the two-time Oscar winner had “suddenly fallen” and noted his body “showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent.”
The conditions of the remains, along with data from Hackman’s pacemaker — which last showed activity Feb. 17 — suggest the couple had been dead more than a week before they were found, though the exact timeline remains unclear.
It is also still not yet clear how they died, but investigators have said they do not suspect foul play and noted there were no signs of external trauma found on the bodies.
What’s more, both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide poisoning and there were “no significant findings” of carbon monoxide or gas leaks in the home, according to New Mexico Gas Co.
With News Wire Services
