Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home. #2

[anonypotomous]

Santa Fe County police discovered the body of the two-time Oscar winner, 95, and 63-year-old Arakawa — his wife of 34 years and their dog — on Wednesday afternoon.

No foul play is suspected and no cause of death has been announced.

More at link

Legendary actor Gene Hackman, wife Betsy and dog found dead inside New Mexico home: police

Santa Fe County police discovered the body of the two-time Oscar winner, 95, and 63-year-old classical pianist Betsy Arakawa on Wednesday afternoon.

nypost.com

Thread #1

 

[Knitty]

Please continue here.

 

[Romulus]

Experts unveil eerie theories about Gene Hackman and his wife's deaths

When the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered in their home, the over-riding belief was that they were the victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Sunshynn]

Experts unveil eerie theories about Gene Hackman and his wife's deaths

When the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered in their home, the over-riding belief was that they were the victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.

www.dailymail.co.uk

This is paywalled for me.
Can someone give a synopsis?

 

[Romulus]

This is paywalled for me.
Can someone give a synopsis?

Is paywalled also for me...sorry!

 

[pentimento]

The dogs seem to have been socialized to allow strangers on the property. I'm still not convinced that there wasn't an intruder sometime in the morning perhaps, before the one dog was let out of its crate. That's if the crate was shut -- I guess there are reasons to shut the crate if you are training but with the size of that property and their lifestyle I can't really understand the need for confining it, but I know others have a different opinion. The door to the house being open is also puzzling given that it has been stated that there is a doggy-door and the weather was apparently frigid. Did someone show up and she decided to put the dog in the crate because it was misbehaving? I really wish we knew more about the dogs and the crate situation. It's hard to figure it out without the details. I wonder if the police are purposefully withholding the info about the crate, because I haven't heard them state unequivocally that the dog was locked in the crate. Just some rambling thoughts...

 

[Joe Friday]

This is paywalled for me.
Can someone give a synopsis?

From thread #1

T

Post in thread 'Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home.'

Mar 1, 2025

A forensic expert commented on the investigation and based on his experience what may have happened:

As new details begin to unravel, Dr. Michael Baden, chief forensic pathologist for the New York State Police Department, delivered his new theory to DailyMail.com.

<modsnip - copyright>

Forensic expert: Gene Hackman may have suffered a heart malfunction

• tomstrees

• 

 

[Sunshynn]

From thread #1

T

Post in thread 'Gene Hackman dead at 95: Iconic actor and wife, 63, are found dead with their dog at Santa Fe home.'

Mar 1, 2025

A forensic expert commented on the investigation and based on his experience what may have happened:

As new details begin to unravel, Dr. Michael Baden, chief forensic pathologist for the New York State Police Department, delivered his new theory to DailyMail.com.

<modsnip - copyright>

Forensic expert: Gene Hackman may have suffered a heart malfunction

• tomstrees

• 

Thank you

 

[Sunshynn]

I wonder if the police are purposefully without holding the info about the crate, because I haven't heard them state unequivocally that the dog was locked in the crate. Just some rambling thoughts...

I agree with this.
It has never been stated whether the crate was opened allowing the dog free entry or if the dog was locked inside.

 

[BrianJohnson]

<modsnip>

There was no blunt force trauma or evidence of strangulation or bodily harm on either of their bodies, the police have ruled out foul play, there was nothing stolen or evidence anyone had been rifling through their possessions/drawers to find money or jewellery or anything, an intruder/burglar being responsible for their deaths is something I would offer 1000000-1 odds on if I was a bookmaker

 

[priyaya]

Experts unveil eerie theories about Gene Hackman and his wife's deaths

When the bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered in their home, the over-riding belief was that they were the victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.

www.dailymail.co.uk

yes,
one says he had an issue, she ran for pills to help and had her own issue/fell in the process
another suggests she died suddenly and then he died trying to get help for her
and another suggests that there could be suicide or foul play
nothing new really

 

[priyaya]

I wonder if the police are purposefully withholding the info

I think everyone including the police are waiting on toxicology
they may be withholding information, but i would think mostly for privacy not something about a suspect

 

[pentimento]

<modsnip>

There was no blunt force trauma or evidence of strangulation or bodily harm on either of their bodies, the police have ruled out foul play, there was nothing stolen or evidence anyone had been rifling through their possessions/drawers to find money or jewellery or anything, an intruder/burglar being responsible for their deaths is something I would offer 1000000-1 odds on if I was a bookmaker

Surely stranger things have happened. They were incredibly wealthy, living remotely with no surveillance cameras, no security, and some friendly dogs. Personally, I find the chances that they both just dropped dead simultaneously (and possibly the dog at the same time, we don't know) even more unlikely.

 

[JoeFromLB]

I've always wondered why it takes months for toxicology results. JMO

 

[priyaya]

I've always wondered why it takes months for toxicology results. JMO

Because its not just one test. Its multiple tests with multiple types of procedures on various samples.
And like most things, there are usually backups from other ongoing work there

 

[iamshadow21]

I've always wondered why it takes months for toxicology results. JMO

Tl;dr, it's man hours. There are a lot of tests, and they all require a human being to run them. The tech is quick, these days, but the full spectrum of testing required for an autopsy takes a long time to complete.

Why Toxicology Tests Take Time

Toxicology tests may be key in understanding what caused singer Whitney Houston's death, but getting results can take weeks. The San Diego Medical Examiner's Office explains why these tests take so much time.

www.countynewscenter.com

Why do toxicology tests take so long in death investigations? Here's what you should know

People often hear that following a death, results from toxicology tests can take weeks, even months. Here's what to know about toxicology tests, and why it takes so long before results come back.

www.fox10phoenix.com

 

[Cherwell]

The dogs seem to have been socialized to allow strangers on the property. I'm still not convinced that there wasn't an intruder sometime in the morning perhaps, before the one dog was let out of its crate. That's if the crate was shut -- I guess there are reasons to shut the crate if you are training but with the size of that property and their lifestyle I can't really understand the need for confining it, but I know others have a different opinion. The door to the house being open is also puzzling given that it has been stated that there is a doggy-door and the weather was apparently frigid. Did someone show up and she decided to put the dog in the crate because it was misbehaving? I really wish we knew more about the dogs and the crate situation. It's hard to figure it out without the details. I wonder if the police are purposefully withholding the info about the crate, because I haven't heard them state unequivocally that the dog was locked in the crate. Just some rambling thoughts...

Perhaps the dog was just sleeping in the crate and got trapped in the bathroom because Betsy had closed the door.
Gene could have gone out for a breath of air (he had his sunglasses with him) and left the door ajar.

 

[Ontario Mom]

yes,
one says he had an issue, she ran for pills to help and had her own issue/fell in the process
another suggests she died suddenly and then he died trying to get help for her
and another suggests that there could be suicide or foul play
nothing new really

Pretty much the same thing many of us have stated here.

 

[BrianJohnson]

Surely stranger things have happened. They were incredibly wealthy, living remotely with no surveillance cameras, no security, and some friendly dogs. Personally, I find the chances that they both just dropped dead simultaneously (and possibly the dog at the same time, we don't know) even more unlikely.

German Shepherds may be friendly but they are fiercely protective of, and loyal to their owners and being guard dogs is hard wired into their DNA, someone the dogs didn’t know trying to break in would not result in a good outcome for said intruder

Only possibility regarding a burglar/intruder would be if it is someone the dogs already know well like a family member or someone who has been inside the Hackman house many times by invitation

 

[pentimento]

I think everyone including the police are waiting on toxicology
they may be withholding information, but i would think mostly for privacy not something about a suspect

I was talking about whether the crate the dog was found in was open or shut. That could be something only a killer would know, which is why I find it curious that the police haven't started one way or another. Could be nothing or could be something, IDK.

Perhaps the dog was just sleeping in the crate and got trapped in the bathroom because Betsy had closed the door.
Gene could have gone out for a breath of air (he had his sunglasses with him) and left the door ajar.

Do we know if the door to the bathroom was closed? That certainly would be interesting to know.