Following news of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawas deaths, police shared insight into the circumstances of their passing, revealing that their bodies were partly mummified when found.
More details are being uncovered in the investigation into Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawas deaths.
The acting legend, 95, and his wife, 65, along with one of their three dogs, were found dead in their home after police were called to their residence for a routine welfare check on Feb. 26. And now, the Santa Fe Sheriffs Office has provided further insight into why authorities believe the pairwho married in 1991had been deceased for at least a day.
According to an affidavit obtained by NBC News Feb. 27, Arakawas bodywhich was found in the homes bathroom next to a space heater and a bottle of pills that was open with pills scattered on the countertop, per the documentwas already showing visual indications of decomposition.
The female decedant showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face, read the affidavit, and mumification in both hands and feet.
For reference, the process of bloating and mummification usually begin about 24-48 hours after a body has been deceased, according to Live Science.
And Hackmanwho was discovered in the kitchen area of the house and suspected to have suddenly fallenwas in a similar state upon their arrival. As the affidavit, which was submitted to obtain a search warrant, continued, The male decedent also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent.
In addition to providing insight into the timing of the passing of Hackman and Arakawa, the Sante Fe Sheriffs Office declared that officials have deemed the circumstances around the tragedy as suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.
Photo by Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
For one, preliminary findings found no external signs of trauma, the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office told NBC News. However, when the Santa Fe City Fire Department responded to a request to conduct carbon monoxide testing, they did not locate signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. A cause of death has still yet to be determined, according to the outlet.
Furthermore, the front door to the couples home had been left ajarwhich was what had prompted the call to authoritiesthough there were no signs of forced entry, per the affidavit.
Following the pairs untimely deaths, Hackmans friends, colleagues and admirers spoke out to honor his legacy.
Gene Hackman (was) a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity, Francis Ford Coppolawho directed the actor in 1974s The Conversationwrote on Instagram Feb. 27. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.
And Star Wars George Takei echoed that sentiment, describing the Birdcage star as one of the true giants of the screen.
Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it, George wrote in a message on X. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. Thats how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.
