Gene Hackman Update: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Ruled Out, New Evidence Reveals When He Likely Died
The sheriff’s office in Santa Fe has provided a new update on the investigation into Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa‘s deaths.
While final autopsy and toxicology results could take months to come back, the initial results have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause of death.
Gene, Betsy, and one of their dogs were discovered dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday afternoon (February 26). Maintenance workers first discovered their bodies and now evidence shows when Gene may have passed away.
Keep reading to find out more…
“An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr. Hackman’s pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said at a press conference on Friday.
It’s currently assumed that Gene died on February 17, but there’s still uncertainty over the order of deaths. That’s nine days before the bodies were discovered.
“Collected from the residence from the search warrant, there were two green in color cell phones, two bottles of medication, one bottle of over-the-counter Tylenol, My Request medical records and a 2025 monthly planner calendar. Those items were secured from the residence for evidentiary purposes,” the sheriff said. “In an investigation, we try to piece a timeline together, usually [from] before the event happens and that gives us a lot of information. But in this case, it seems like we’re doing a reverse timeline. We’re doing the timeline from the time of death and the autopsy and the results, and we’re going to start working our way backwards. We’re going to do both, and then hopefully make a determination of what may have happened to both the individuals that day.”
EVERY UPDATE SO FAR ON GENE HACKMAN’S DEATH:
- Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead in Their Home.
- Celebrities Pay Tribute to Gene Hackman After His Death at 95.
- Gene Hackman‘s Daughter Reveals Possible Cause of Death for Her Dad.
- Gene Hackman & Wife’s Deaths Now Labeled ‘Suspicious,’ Search Warrant Describes Scene with Front Door Open & No Obvious Gas Leak.
- Gene Hackman‘s Family Issues Statement After His & Wife Betsy’s Sudden Deaths.