Gene hackman, his wife, and their dog found dead in their home

27 February 2025, 21:33

Mike Mitchell

Now, the reporting is that the deaths are "suspicious".....

The Academy Award-winning actor was found on the floor in the mud room, according to the search warrant. It appeared he fell suddenly, and he and his wife "showed obvious signs of death," the document said.

Arakawa was found lying on her side on the floor in a bathroom, with a space heater near her body, according to the search warrant.

Her body showed signs of decomposition, the document said. There was mummification to her hands and feet, the document said.

On the counter near Arakawa was an opened prescription bottle, with pills scattered, according to the search warrant.

The Santa Fe City Fire Department found no signs of a possible carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, the document said. If there was carbon monoxide at the scene, it could have vented out of the home through the open front door before responders arrived.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/acto...f/story?id=119242578

27 February 2025, 21:35

LHeym500

If not carbon monoxide, then how is there not foul play?
Hackman was 95. Time will tell.

27 February 2025, 21:37

Mike Mitchell

Who knows.

I was watching a tribute to his film career...man, that guy was in a lot of good movies.

27 February 2025, 21:39

Jayhawker2022

My favorite was probably Hoosiers.

27 February 2025, 21:48

LHeym500

I mean it is not great cinema, but I throughly enjoyed him in The Replacements as the coach.

Of course, Unforgiven, Mississippi Burning, and USS Alabama.

The movie ducked but he was great as the Admiral in Behind Enemy Lines.

27 February 2025, 21:50

Mike Mitchell

quote:
Originally posted by LHeym500:
I mean it is not great cinema, but I throughly enjoyed him in The Replacements as the coach.

Of course, Unforgiven, Mississippi Burning, and USS Alabama.

The movie ducked but he was great as the Admiral in Behind Enemy Lines.

Mississippi Burning...

"Make no mistake about it, Deputy. I'll cut your fucking head clean off and not give a shit how it reads in the report sheet!"

27 February 2025, 22:17

crbutler

He was a good actor. I liked his roles as the villain in multiple films.

Sounds kind of backwards… I’d tend to assume foul play until the evidence says it’s not.

2 people and a dog dead together needs investigation.

The police tend to not want to say anything. I get it, and the media types aren’t usually the sharpest knife in the drawer.

27 February 2025, 22:21

Mike Mitchell

quote:
Originally posted by crbutler:
He was a good actor. I liked his roles as the villain in multiple films.

Sounds kind of backwards… I’d tend to assume foul play until the evidence says it’s not.

2 people and a dog dead together needs investigation.

The police tend to not want to say anything. I get it, and the media types aren’t usually the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Yeah, with the front door wide open. Something not right.

28 February 2025, 03:27

MtElkHunter

For those who are more up on it please correct me if I am wrong, but I think an ME can determine if it was CO2 poisoning during an autopsy?

28 February 2025, 03:31

medved

quote:
Originally posted by MtElkHunter:
For those who are more up on it please correct me if I am wrong, but I think an ME can determine if it was CO2 poisoning during an autopsy?

yes they will if they are doing an autopsy.

28 February 2025, 03:57

crbutler

Yes, it will show.

However one report says there were some other dogs in the house alive and well, so that makes CO poisoning somewhat suspect.

28 February 2025, 04:57

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by medved:
quote:
Originally posted by MtElkHunter:
For those who are more up on it please correct me if I am wrong, but I think an ME can determine if it was CO2 poisoning during an autopsy?

yes they will if they are doing an autopsy.

i don't have a CLUE as to duration, but the bodies are "Showing signs of mummification" - which is hogwash, but infers a considerable duration from ToD to discovery - would CO show up? i think hard toxins, like drugs or poisons, or funky mushrooms might still be there -

28 February 2025, 05:20

medved

quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
quote:
Originally posted by medved:
quote:
Originally posted by MtElkHunter:
For those who are more up on it please correct me if I am wrong, but I think an ME can determine if it was CO2 poisoning during an autopsy?

yes they will if they are doing an autopsy.

i don't have a CLUE as to duration, but the bodies are "Showing signs of mummification" - which is hogwash, but infers a considerable duration from ToD to discovery - would CO show up? i think hard toxins, like drugs or poisons, or funky mushrooms might still be there -

post-morten co-oximetry is a well known science and it has been demonstred that blood samples taken can show the CO presence after 2 years ...

the CO level will show up in blood way after the discovery of the body and of course the exams of the lungs and other organs will confirm it.

another reason or demonstration of mummification or signs of it might show the CO poisoning but again it is only hypothetisis ...

again if an autopsy is done.

28 February 2025, 05:23

jeffeosso

thank you, sir - i wasn't aware that it could be done after 2 years

01 March 2025, 00:44

crbutler

Actually probably longer than that.

As long as you have hemoglobin to analyze you can find carboxyhemoglobin and measure percentages.

The problem arises when the body is too decomposed to find hemoglobin to analyze.

The news has stated that they are doing full autopsies and that it can take quite a while for the final toxicology lab tests.

01 March 2025, 00:47

Mike Mitchell

Well, autopsies are being done. I guess we'll know in a few weeks.

It does seem that this could have been handled a lot better by New Mexico law enforcement.

01 March 2025, 01:07

crbutler

I don’t know Mike.

If LE handled it right, but the press is confused is equally correct.

Most likely it’s the beautiful people type on the arts and entertainment beat, not the good reporters.

Sounds like an investigation was started as soon as they knew the people were dead.

01 March 2025, 01:57

Mike Mitchell

quote:
Originally posted by crbutler:
I don’t know Mike.

If LE handled it right, but the press is confused is equally correct.

Most likely it’s the beautiful people type on the arts and entertainment beat, not the good reporters.

Sounds like an investigation was started as soon as they knew the people were dead.

I dunno. I think a more sophisticated LE group wouldn't have released details like mummification, the wife's body being found by an open pill bottle, etc. It just opens up a Pandora's box of speculation by the press. And, I think the initial statement by the police was that the deaths were not suspicious. It just doesn't seem like it was handled as well as it could have been.

And, doc, you certainly would know more about this than me but doesn't it seem odd that if it was carbon monoxide, one body would be in "the mud room" and the other in the bedroom? Usually, those deaths result in the bodies being found in bed...dead. I'm not familiar with the symptomology associated with carbon monoxide death but would you just not realize anything was happening if you weren't asleep and then just drop dead wherever you were standing?

It just seems odd.

01 March 2025, 02:15

crbutler

I agree that with what is in the press that CO sounds odd. There are a lot of weird incongruencies- the statements of the bodies being in different places and in the same place, the one dog dead but two others not, etc.

The whole thing is a PR mess, but the ME will get the physical evidence sorted (I hope) and folks will know what happened to Mr. Hackman.

A monthlong delay makes things harder, yes.

I presume the mummification comment was intended to show that it happened some time ago.

01 March 2025, 02:25

Mike Mitchell

quote:
Originally posted by crbutler:
I agree that with what is in the press that CO sounds odd. There are a lot of weird incongruencies- the statements of the bodies being in different places and in the same place, the one dog dead but two others not, etc.

The whole thing is a PR mess, but the ME will get the physical evidence sorted (I hope) and folks will know what happened to Mr. Hackman.

A monthlong delay makes things harder, yes.

I presume the mummification comment was intended to show that it happened some time ago.

The reporting I saw on the mummification related to the wife and it specifically stated she was near a space heater.

I mean, I know it is dry in Santa Fe but....mummification before body decay?

Again, I have no idea. It just seems like there are a lot of odd "facts".

What I hear you saying though is, that if they died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the toxicology will show that, right?

01 March 2025, 03:46

jeffeosso

they might have meant extreme dehydration, but people would understand mummification?

dang it, i can't remember the other scientific term for dehydration in this scenario -- senior moment

01 March 2025, 04:10

jeffeosso

well, the plot thickens

quote:
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, tested negative for carbon monoxide, according to the Santa Fe Sheriffs Department.

During a press conference Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that "both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide."

01 March 2025, 04:14

Mike Mitchell

quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
well, the plot thickens

quote:
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, tested negative for carbon monoxide, according to the Santa Fe Sheriffs Department.

During a press conference Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that "both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide."

Man. No kidding.

01 March 2025, 04:17

Jefffive

quote:
Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:
quote:
Originally posted by crbutler:
I don’t know Mike.

If LE handled it right, but the press is confused is equally correct.

Most likely it’s the beautiful people type on the arts and entertainment beat, not the good reporters.

Sounds like an investigation was started as soon as they knew the people were dead.

I dunno. I think a more sophisticated LE group wouldn't have released details like mummification, the wife's body being found by an open pill bottle, etc. It just opens up a Pandora's box of speculation by the press. And, I think the initial statement by the police was that the deaths were not suspicious. It just doesn't seem like it was handled as well as it could have been.

And, doc, you certainly would know more about this than me but doesn't it seem odd that if it was carbon monoxide, one body would be in "the mud room" and the other in the bedroom? Usually, those deaths result in the bodies being found in bed...dead. I'm not familiar with the symptomology associated with carbon monoxide death but would you just not realize anything was happening if you weren't asleep and then just drop dead wherever you were standing?

It just seems odd.

The vast majority of carbon monoxide deaths are pretty gradual, a clogged or leaky vent, an IC engine in an enclosed space, etc. but in rare circumstances a large release of CO at one time can overwhelm people throughout a structure.

I have no idea what happened in this case and insufficient info to even guess.

01 March 2025, 04:21

Steve Bertram

I keep reading his wife was surrounded by a bunch of pills, gene was 95 and in failing health, starting to look more like a murder/suicide than anything else.

01 March 2025, 04:42

Jefffive

ABC is reporting that they didn't have elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

01 March 2025, 04:59

Mike Mitchell

Aliens?

01 March 2025, 05:00

Mike Mitchell

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Bertram:
I keep reading his wife was surrounded by a bunch of pills, gene was 95 and in failing health, starting to look more like a murder/suicide than anything else.

I gotta tell you, this was my first thought when I saw the reporting.

But, then the dog. Makes no sense.

01 March 2025, 05:26

JTEX

How long could they have been dead if there where other surviving dogs in the house???? Who fed em? I,know they could drink out of toilets if they where large enough.....

01 March 2025, 05:42

RCG

My $.02. Here's my theory. Gene had a natural fatal episode, heart attack, stroke, aneurism,etc, died and his wife found him. She became very distraught and decided to swallow a bunch of pills and join him. She died by suicide and spilled the pills which one of the dogs ate and then it died nearby. The other two dogs managed to survive.

Apparently there was at least one opened door but that might have been left by the maintenance guy that found them.

01 March 2025, 06:03

crbutler

Yes.

quote:
Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:
quote:
Originally posted by crbutler:
I agree that with what is in the press that CO sounds odd. There are a lot of weird incongruencies- the statements of the bodies being in different places and in the same place, the one dog dead but two others not, etc.

The whole thing is a PR mess, but the ME will get the physical evidence sorted (I hope) and folks will know what happened to Mr. Hackman.

A monthlong delay makes things harder, yes.

I presume the mummification comment was intended to show that it happened some time ago.

The reporting I saw on the mummification related to the wife and it specifically stated she was near a space heater.

I mean, I know it is dry in Santa Fe but....mummification before body decay?

Again, I have no idea. It just seems like there are a lot of odd "facts".

What I hear you saying though is, that if they died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the toxicology will show that, right?

01 March 2025, 12:46

M.Shy

Simple, people die every day
He was super great actor so RIP Gene and I loved your movies and will always remember you kindly

01 March 2025, 16:55

Mike Mitchell

Now, they're saying Hackman died February 17. Based on data from his pacemaker.

https://www.washingtonpost.com...dead-wife-newmexico/

01 March 2025, 17:23

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
they might have meant extreme dehydration, but people would understand mummification?

dang it, i can't remember the other scientific term for dehydration in this scenario -- senior moment

desiccation!!
there's the word.

I read somewhere that the dead dog was reportedly in a closet/cage/kennel - but its not verified -

RCG's proposed passes the smell test, and is within reason

okay, this is meant to be a joke - What did Gene have on Killary? and dang it, why the dog though!

01 March 2025, 20:00

Aspen Hill Adventures

quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
they might have meant extreme dehydration, but people would understand mummification?

dang it, i can't remember the other scientific term for dehydration in this scenario -- senior moment

desiccation!!
there's the word.

I read somewhere that the dead dog was reportedly in a closet/cage/kennel - but its not verified -

RCG's proposed passes the smell test, and is within reason

okay, this is meant to be a joke - What did Gene have on Killary? and dang it, why the dog though!

In my work experience I've seen long term deceased. Fingers, noses, toes dry out pretty quickly rather than rot in a heated home. It is an indicator of time passed as well as environmental conditions that the bodies were exposed to. The rest of the body, like the abdomen, swell and often bust open. Orifices like the mouth, nose, etc are usually leaking rotting body fluids, again, depending on how long it's laid there and how much heat there is.

One needs some Vick's Vaoprub most of the time to investigate these kind of scenes.

I saw one report that the dead dog, a German shepherd, was in a kennel and was not inside the house.