Police have stated that it is a “reasonable assumption” that actor Gene Hackman passed away on February 17, when his pacemaker recorded its “last event.” Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered deceased in separate rooms of their home in a gated community in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday. One of their three pet dogs was also found dead near Arakawa.
The announcement of their deaths was made yesterday, with an official indicating that the condition of the bodies suggested they had been deceased for “several days, possibly even up to a couple of weeks.” In a Friday update, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza mentioned that data from Hackman’s pacemaker indicates the day of his death. “The last event recorded by his pacemaker was on February 17, 2025,” he stated. “According to the pathologist, I believe that is a very good assumption, marking his last day of life.”
Sheriff Mendoza noted that officials have not yet determined when Hackman and Arakawa last interacted with others. “That’s one of our challenges due to their privacy,” he explained. Authorities will review cell phones, examine a calendar found near the couple’s bodies, and reach out to workers, family members, and security personnel for more information.
Mendoza reported that there were “no apparent signs of foul play” following an autopsy, which revealed “no external trauma.” He also confirmed that both bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide and suggested that it seems unlikely their deaths were the result of falls. “There was no trauma indicated; I assume if they had fallen or injured themselves, that would have been identified by the pathologists,” the sheriff remarked.
The police are still awaiting the complete results from the autopsy and toxicology tests, which could take “months or longer,” Mendoza added. Hackman, a former Marine, had a prolific career, appearing in over 80 films and winning two Oscars. He met his wife, a concert pianist, during his career.