Extra particulars — together with an altered timeline — are rising as officers proceed to research the tragic deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, who had been each discovered lifeless of their Santa Fe, New Mexico, house in February.
“Final Days of Gene Hackman” airs Tuesday, March 18, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
This is the timeline of the case:
Feb. 9
On Feb. 9, Arakawa picked up one among their three canine — the canine who was later discovered lifeless within the house with the couple — from a veterinary hospital after a process, which can clarify why the canine was found in a crate when the our bodies had been discovered, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated.
Feb. 11
On the afternoon of Feb. 11, Arakawa went to a farmer’s market, CVS and a pet meals retailer, and entered her gated neighborhood at 5:15 p.m., the sheriff stated.
Authorities initially believed the 65-year-old Arakawa died on Feb. 11.
Feb. 12
Investigators later found that on the morning of Feb. 12, Arakawa known as concierge medical service Cloudberry Well being thrice, the sheriff stated.
“Every time that she known as, she individually spoke to a consultant,” Mendoza instructed ABC Information. “That will point out to me that she was in search of medical recommendation or medical assist, and should haven’t been feeling nicely or had been exhibiting indicators or feeling signs of hantavirus.”
The home owned by actor Gene Hackman and his spouse Betsy Arakawa, Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, N.M.
Roberto E. Rosales/AP
Arakawa wasn’t a affected person however known as about an “esoteric therapy,” in keeping with Dr. Josiah Little one of Cloudberry Well being.
There was no signal that she had any type of “respiratory difficulty … or that she was in any approach in misery or that this was an emergency,” Little one stated.
Cloudberry Well being known as Arakawa again twice to observe up, however by no means received a response, Little one stated.
Although the precise date of Arakawa’s demise isn’t clear, authorities stated she died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a uncommon illness transmitted by rodent urine, droppings or saliva.
Those that contract hantavirus usually really feel unwell for roughly three to 6 days, in keeping with Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the state’s Workplace of the Medical Investigator.
“Then they will transition to that pulmonary section, the place they’ve fluid of their lungs and round their lungs,” Jarrell stated. “And at that time, an individual can die in a short time, inside 24 to 48 hours, roughly talking, with out medical therapy.”
Feb. 18
Hackman, 95, probably died round Feb. 18, about one week after his spouse, officers stated.
The Academy Award-winning actor’s demise was from heart problems with “Alzheimer’s illness as a big contributory issue,” Jarrell stated.
Actor Gene Hackman arrives along with his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, for the sixtieth Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 19, 2003.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
Hackman’s “preliminary pacemaker information revealed cardiac exercise on Feb. 17, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an irregular rhythm of atrial fibrillation on Feb. 18, which was the final report of coronary heart exercise,” Jarrell stated.
Hackman was probably house along with his deceased spouse for about one week earlier than he died, the sheriff stated.
He “was in a sophisticated state of Alzheimer’s, and it is fairly doable that he was not conscious that she was deceased,” Jarrell instructed reporters, including that the “query is troublesome to reply.”
Feb. 26
On Feb. 26, the couple’s our bodies had been found throughout a welfare verify, the sheriff’s workplace stated.
Hackman was on the ground within the mud room whereas Arakawa was on the ground in a rest room with an area heater close to her physique, in keeping with the search warrant.
Arakawa’s physique confirmed indicators of decomposition; there was mummification to her palms and toes, the doc stated.
One of many couple’s three canine was discovered lifeless in a crate about 10 to fifteen toes from Arakawa’s physique, officers stated. The canine probably died of dehydration and hunger, in keeping with a necropsy report.
The couple’s two different canine had been discovered alive. It appeared that they had entry to a doggy door; one canine was discovered close to Arakawa’s physique and the opposite was situated outdoors, the sheriff stated.
Hackman is survived by his son and two daughters.
Hackman “was beloved and admired by thousands and thousands around the globe for his good performing profession, however to us he was at all times simply Dad and Grandpa,” his daughters and granddaughter stated in a press release. “We are going to miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
What occurs to Hackman’s property?
Hackman left his $80 million property to his spouse and didn’t title his kids. Arakawa left her property to charity.
The timeline of their deaths may play an element within the couple’s wills.
“If Betsy passes away first, after which Gene, his will, in a way, would turn out to be void, as a result of the person he wished his objects to be handed to not exists within the eyes of the regulation,” ABC Information authorized contributor Brian Buckmire stated.
“His property and the whole lot he left in his will would go to probate courtroom, the place people can argue that they need to obtain the advantages of Gene Hackman’s will,” Buckmire stated.
Hackman’s son has employed a California belief and property lawyer.
ABC Information’ Muriel Pearson, Eileen Murphy and Eric Strauss contributed to this report.
