Gene Hackman’s death takes significant U-turn as police change theory and claim truth may take months
Police investigating the deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog have made a significant U-turn on their initial theory about the cause.
The bodies of the 95-year-old two-time Oscar winner and his 63-year-old wife were discovered in separate rooms at their Santa Fe home last week.
Authorities believe the couple may have been dead for weeks before being found.
Santa Fe’s fire chief Brian Moya has now refused to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death, despite earlier dismissals of this theory.
Sheriff’s deputies had initially rejected the notion, stating there were no signs of carbon monoxide in the air or a gas leak.
Speaking to TODAY, Moya conceded that any poisonous gas could have potentially dissipated by the time the bodies were discovered.
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The carbon monoxide theory was first suggested by Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean.
Investigators found the bodies after a maintenance worker called 911, reportedly saying: “Damn, damn, damn,” while crying.
The worker told the operator: “Just send somebody up here quick.”
A search warrant revealed that New Mexico Gas Company tested gas lines around the home and found no problems.
Police noted that Hackman’s body was found “wearing grey sweat pants, a blue long-sleeve t-shirt, brown slippers, and walking cane.”
Officers suspected he may have had a “sudden fall” as his sunglasses were found next to him.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza has revealed that determining the actual cause of death could take several months.
A crucial toxicology report is still pending, with officials saying the investigation remains open.
An autopsy has been carried out which ruled out any external trauma to both the actor and his late wife.
“The manner and cause of death has not been determined,” authorities stated.
A black heater was found near Betsy’s body, with police suspecting “the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground.”
Officers also observed “an orange prescription bottle” on the countertop near Betsy, which “appeared opened with pills scattered on the countertop.”
Betsy’s body showed signs of decomposition, including “bloating to her face and mummification on her hands and feet” with Gene also being found in a similar state of decomposition.