Fresh evidence has emerged in the investigation into the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, prompting authorities to revise key aspects of their initial findings.
Updated Timeline of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths
Hackman and Arakawa were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home last month under what authorities initially described as “suspicious” circumstances. However, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell have since determined the official causes of death:
- Gene Hackman, who had been in declining health, succumbed to hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a significant contributing factor.
- Betsy Arakawa passed away approximately a week earlier due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through contact with infected rodents.
Cell Phone Records Challenge Initial Findings
While authorities had initially placed Arakawa’s time of death around February 11, 2025, new cell phone data suggests she was actually alive the morning of February 12.
According to a statement given to Fox News Digital, investigators traced multiple calls made by Arakawa to Cloudberry Health, a medical center in Santa Fe. Furthermore, she had a missed incoming call from the medical center later that afternoon.
“Pending cell phone records, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office investigation showed the last known activity of Mrs. Hackman to be February 11, 2025,” authorities stated. “We can now confirm that Mrs. Hackman’s phone was utilized on the morning of February 12 to call a medical center in Santa Fe, Cloudberry Health.”
This revelation means Arakawa was alive longer than originally believed, altering the assumed timeline of events. It also reduces the length of time Gene Hackman was alone in the home before his passing.
Investigation Remains Open Despite Answers
Although these new findings provide greater clarity, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has opted not to close the investigation just yet. He acknowledges that while many questions have been answered, “loopholes” and “loose ends” still need to be addressed.
As law enforcement continues to piece together the final days of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, the new evidence sheds light on the tragic sequence of events while leaving room for further inquiries.
Stay tuned for updates as authorities work to finalize their findings.
