Santa Fe fire chief sets record straight on carbon monoxide poisoning theory in major Gene Hackman investigation update
Carbon monoxide poisoning has not been ruled out as the cause of death for actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog, authorities confirmed today.
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 64, were discovered on Wednesday in their Santa Fe home under what officials described as “suspicious” circumstances.
Initial tests by fire officials showed no immediate signs of a gas leak at the property.
However, investigators are continuing to explore this possibility as the family strongly believes toxic fumes may have been responsible for the tragic deaths.
Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, has speculated that carbon monoxide poisoning may have caused her father’s death.
“He was loved and admired by millions, but to us, he was simply Dad,” she stated, expressing the family’s deep personal loss.
Another daughter, Leslie, supported this theory, insisting that despite being 95, Hackman was in “great health”.
The family has urged officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
They remain convinced that toxic fumes were the silent killer in this tragic case, despite initial tests showing no immediate evidence of a gas leak.
Santa Fe fire officials clarified on TODAY that whilst their meters didn’t detect anything during searches, carbon monoxide poisoning hasn’t been ruled out.
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Fire chief Brian Moya told the programme: “At the time of the incident, we did not determine anything that was in the house with our meters that was concerning towards our guys doing the searches. So at the time of the incident, we did not find anything in the home.”
He was then asked whether or not the time between their deaths and being found could affect the possibility of finding a gas leak or the presence of a poisonous gas in the home.
“It possibly could,” Moya replied as he set the record straight on why he refused to rule out the theory. “That was a home with natural gas in it so it could’ve. Yeah, there’s a lot of un-answers.
“When we arrived, we made sure that our people as well as the sheriff were safe and there was nothing we found. We also went back yesterday to do another round of searches with the sheriff’s department and we didn’t find anything as well.”
The couple’s bodies were found in separate rooms of their £2.7 million residence. Maintenance workers discovered the bodies after noticing the front door ajar and alerted authorities just before 2pm on Wednesday.
A 911 caller reported seeing two unconscious people through a window but couldn’t enter the home.
Hackman was found fully clothed on the floor near the kitchen area with his walking cane and sunglasses beside him, suggesting he may have fallen suddenly.
Arakawa was discovered on the bathroom floor next to scattered prescription pills and a space heater.
Both bodies showed signs of advanced decomposition, with Arakawa’s hands and feet exhibiting mummification.
Their German Shepherd was found dead in a bathroom crate, approximately 10 feet from Arakawa’s body.
Investigators have not yet determined whether Hackman and Arakawa died simultaneously.
The arid Santa Fe environment may have contributed to the unusual preservation of the bodies.
Toxicology reports are still pending and could take up to three months to complete, according to Sheriff Adan Mendoza.
The official autopsy reports typically take four to six weeks, state Office of the Medical Investigator spokesperson Chris Ramirez said.
Authorities have not completely ruled out foul play, though evidence supporting this theory appears limited.
“I think I’m pretty confident that there is no foul play just based on the lack of evidence of foul play,” Mendoza told NBC. “Of course, we’re not ruling that out.”
Police deemed the circumstances “suspicious enough to require a thorough search and investigation.”
The toxicology results will be crucial in determining the causes of death and guiding the investigation forward.
Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor known for roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven, had withdrawn from public life in recent years.
He effectively retired from acting in 2004 at age 74, choosing to live a reclusive existence with Arakawa, a former classical pianist.
The couple moved to the Santa Fe area more than a decade before his retirement.