One week after Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead, an investigation continues with key questions still unanswered.
Authorities in New Mexico found Hackman, his wife and their dog dead on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 26. A search warrant said that the “French Connection” star was discovered in a mudroom near his cane, while his wife was in an open bathroom near a space heater. An open prescription bottle and pills were scattered on a countertop nearby, and Arakawa had “body decomposition, bloating in her face” and mummification of her hands and feet.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the mysterious deaths, and no cause has been released, though the findings from a probe for gas leaks and carbon monoxide has been revealed.
Here’s all the latest on the investigation.
Gene Hackman death March 4 updates: Conflicting details emerge on dogs, health
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Results of gas leak, carbon monoxide testing revealed
On Tuesday, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office shared the results of the New Mexico Gas Company’s “extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide at Gene Hackman’s home,” conducted on Feb. 26. The investigation appeared to definitively rule out the possibility of a gas leak inside the home.
Gene Hackman’s life in Santa Fe: How actor pursued anonymity
“There were no significant findings,” a news release said. “NMGC did issue five (5) red tags. One red tag was for a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air – not a lethal amount) at one of the stove burners. The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations – not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide – involving a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces.”
Gene Hackman, wife’s deaths ‘suspicious’: Grim details emerge in search warrant
The sheriff’s office said these results “are not believed to be a factor in the deaths of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa or their dog,” though the findings were still sent to the Office of the Medical Investigator “for consideration.”
The sheriff’s department previously ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death after negative test results. Hackman’s pacemaker showed that “his last event was recorded on Feb. 17, 2025,” indicating this is likely when the actor died.
Hackman’s nephew doesn’t ‘want to speculate’ on cause of death
The actor’s nephew, Tim Hackman, spoke with Us Weekly in an interview published Tuesday and said the family does not want to speculate about his death before all the facts are available.
Gene Hackman’s refuge – and mysterious death – at his Santa Fe home with wife Betsy Arakawa
“We’re waiting on toxicology. That will tell us everything,” he said. “It’s hard to theorize. There are lots of theories out there and I don’t want to speculate. It’s easy to speculate negative theories.”
He added, “The family wants to keep it positive for now and when we know the truth we will deal with it.”
Exclusive details: Sheriff’s office makes error about Gene Hackman’s dog
But Tim Hackman told Us Weekly that the description of the scene where his uncle was found has raised questions. “My uncle was 95 years old at an age where you think about, ‘OK, it’s time,'” he told Us Weekly. “But from the circumstances now things have changed a bit. It’s a major change.”
In a previous statement to USA TODAY, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie Hackman, and granddaughter Annie said they were “devastated” by his death.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they said. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely.”
Hackman and his ex-wife Faye Maltese shared three adult children: Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie.
Hackman and wife were ‘joined at the hip,’ flight instructor says
Andy Wells, a flight instructor who flew with Hackman, spoke about the couple’s close relationship in an interview with Fox News published Wednesday. He said he first met Hackman and Arakawa in 1987, four years before they married in 1991, though he had not seen them for years.
“The two of them were joined at the hip practically,” Wells said. “So, if he became reclusive, I think she did, too. And she was very quiet. Anyway, if she went out on her own and was in the same grocery store with me, it would be easy to not see her. She was small and quiet and very, very focused. I thought she was great.”
Wells also remembered Arakawa as “so sweet and beautiful and smart.”
