Gene Hackman’s pacemaker provides critical clue to time of death as investigation continues

Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman’s pacemaker has given police more details of when he and his wife died, as they continue to investigate their theories.

Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman was dead at least nine days before maintenance workers found the two-time Oscar winner, his wife and one of their dogs inside their sprawling New Mexico home, police said.

The last “event” recorded on The French Connection star’s pacemaker was February 17, Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza said.

“According to the pathologist, I think it’s a good assumption that was his last day of life,” he told reporters, explaining that the date helps authorities build a timeline to determine what led to the couple’s tragic end.

The two-time Oscar winner, 95, was found dead alongside wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their dog in their $US3.8 million (A$6.1 million-dollar) mansion in New Mexico.

At this time, police don’t know who died first as autopsies to determine the case of their deaths are underway.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza speaks during a press conference to provide an update on the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

Hackman, who last appeared in the 2004 film Welcome to Mooseport, retired after his doctor advised him his heart “wasn’t in the kind of shape that I should be putting it under any stress,” he told a UK movie magazine in 2009.

The maintenance workers in the couple’s gated community hadn’t seen them in about two weeks — and were alarmed when there was no answer when they came to do work at the home.

View of Leslie Hackman and her father, American actor Gene Hackman, as they attend a screening of 'Class Action' on March 13, 1991.

Police seized several items from Hackman and Arakawa’s home, including two green cellphones, Tylenol, a thyroid medication and Diltiazem, a high blood pressure pill, medical records and a 2025 planner, which they hope will help put together a timeline of events.

Authorities will also review cellphone data, phone calls, texts, photos and more.

Police investigating Hackman and his wife’s death have also made a major U-turn on the leading cause of death theory.

It was initially feared that the couple may have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning, but after police first rejected the theory, they cannot rule it out.

Santa Fe’s fire chief Brian Moya refused to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning yet.

Law enforcement officials outside the home of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa who were found dead along with one of their dogs. Picture: Roberto Rosales / AP

Authorities tested the gas lines in and around the home and said there were no signs of a gas-related issue, according to an official warrant.

Speaking to the Today Show, the fire chief agreed any poisonous gas could have potentially dissipated by the time their bodies were discovered.

The carbon monoxide theory was first raised by the legendary actor’s daughter Elizabeth Jean Hackman.

She told TMZ that the family strongly believes the couple may have had carbon monoxide poisoning from toxic fumes.

Actor Gene Hackman with wife Betsy Arakawa at the United Celebral Palsy of New York City's 15th annual Champagne Stakes at Etoile restaurant on E. 56th St.

Meanwhile, officials have warned that any official update on the cause of Hackman’s tragic death may still take a painfully long time to emerge.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adam Mendoza admitted that it could take months to reveal the actual cause of death.

He said that the toxicology report – which would be key to determine the cause of death – could take up to three months or even more.

Chris Ramirez, spokesman for the New Mexico medical investigator’s office, told The Sun confirmation from the medical examiner’s office could still take anywhere between four to six weeks.

Police also aren’t entirely ruling out foul play, even with little evidence to support it. They say the toxicology report — which could take up to three months — will be key in determining the causes of their deaths and guiding their investigation.

Investigators said they did not find a suicide note and there were no blatant signs of trauma to their bodies.

911 CALL RAISES QUESTIONS

It comes as a 911 emergency call made by a maintenance worker who discovered the bodies has contradicted a police report into their deaths.

Audio of the 911 call from an unnamed caretaker obtained by TMZ revealed how the distressed man frantically pleaded for help while shedding tears.

Shocked and shaken, he was heard saying: “I think we just found two, one deceased person inside the house. I’m the caretaker for the subdivision.”

Hollywood royalty Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa celebrated his 94th birthday as they left a restaurant together. Picture: Backgrid/Splash

He can then be heard saying, “Damn, damn, damn” while the dispatcher contacts paramedics.

He told police he saw the bodies through a window, describing them as “a female and a male.”

He said several times he would meet police when they arrive, and the 911 dispatcher asked him: “Are they awake?

“I have no idea,” the man said.

Gene Hackman is being remembered as a titan of the film industry. Picture: Supplied

The man was then asked: “Are they breathing?”

“I have no idea, I’m not inside the house. It’s closed. It’s locked, I can’t go in. But I see, she’s lying down…,” he said.

“Are they moving at all?” the dispatcher asked.

“No, they’re not moving,” the caller said. “Just send somebody out here really quick!”

But the emergency call contradicts the search warrant affidavit, which states a maintenance worker reported the home’s front door was open when he arrived to do routine work.

An explanation for this discrepancy has not yet been shared by police.

Gene Hackman as an FBI agent in Mississippi Burning, one of his greatest performances. Picture: Supplied

HACKMAN ‘FALL’ THEORY

Police also believe Hackman may have suddenly collapsed after authorities investigating his tragic death found a number of worrying clues.

Hackman was discovered fully clothed in a room off the kitchen with his cane next to him, according to the warrant.

Police believe the placement of the walking aid on the ground points towards the film star suffering a potential fall.

It is still unclear what may have caused Hackman – who was described by many as remarkably fit and active for a man of his age – to collapse by himself.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa had been married 34 years. Picture: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

NO SIGNS OF EXTERNAL TRAUMA

It was also revealed that Hackman and Arakawa had no signs of external trauma, early autopsy results have shown.

Arakawa’s body was found mummified and bloated when the two were discovered dead.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office revealed that autopsies showed no visible injuries on either Hackman or Arakawa, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“In the early hours of Thursday, February 27 2025 (local time), Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator,” a statement read.

“Any autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individuals.

“Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests were requested for both individuals.

“The manner and cause of death has not been determined.

“The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.”

DEATHS ‘SUSPICIOUS ENOUGH’ FOR INVESTIGATION

An open orange pill bottle and pills were scattered around the room where Arakawa, and one of their German Shepherd dogs was also discovered deceased. But their two other dogs were found alive.

Police noted that it appeared Arakawa had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet,” when she was found on the floor of a bathroom near the home’s entry, according to a police affidavit.

Police also noted that a black space heater was found near Arakawa’s head. A responding officer said “he suspected the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground,” the affidavit said.

The couple’s dog was located about four metres away from Arakawa inside the bathroom’s cupboard, police wrote.

Hackman’s body was located in what police believe was the mud room near a pair of sunglasses.

Santa Fe County deputies outside the house where actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead. Picture: Roberto E. Rosales / AP

Arakawa was found in the bathroom with the bottle of pills scattered nearby. The type of medication has not been revealed, and police have not confirmed whether it contributed to her death. It remains unclear if the pills were linked to an overdose or another medical issue.

Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate areas of the house, with no immediate explanation for why they weren’t together.

The cause of their dog’s death also remains unknown.

Hackman was found on the floor of a wet room near the kitchen, wearing grey sweatpants, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers and had a cane and sunglasses with him.

WORLD MOURNS CINEMATIC GREAT

Their deaths have resulted in outpouring of love from family, Hollywood industry heavyweights and royalty.

The star’s daughters and granddaughter said they were “devastated” by the loss — remembering him as “always just Dad and Grandpa.”

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman said in a statement.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”

Hackman with daughter Elizabeth in Beverly Hills 1979. Picture: Ron Galella / Getty

WIFE KEPT HACKMAN ‘ON STRICT DIET

Hackman’s wife, Arakawa, did her best to prolong the iconic 95-year-old actor’s life by ensuring he stuck to a very strict diet, according to a pal of the late couple.

In the years leading up to his death, the two-time Oscar winner — who retired from acting in 2004 — was placed on a precise diet by his wife, Hackman’s friend and former business partner, Doug Lanham, told TMZ.

Lanham said that Arakawa — a classical pianist — closely monitored the “French Connection” star’s eating habits.

Hackman with daughters Elizabeth and Leslie at the screening of Superman in 1978 in Washington DC. Picture: Ron Galella / Getty

The legendary Hollywood actor would allegedly try to “sneak a cheat meal” whenever he hung out with Lanham, with whom he previously co-owned a popular Santa Fe-based restaurant.

The duo joined forces and became co-owners of the Jinja Bar & Bistro in the area before finally selling their stakes in 2018.

Visiting the restaurant was a sure-fire way to run into the “Unforgiven” actor, as he frequented the eatery for many years after stepping away from the spotlight.

Arakawa made sure that Hackman didn’t stray from healthy options on the menu, Lanham says, as she often had him order meals like “the halibut or rice-paper salmon.”

Recalling their time together, Lanham said Hackman would often pick up the tab for patrons visiting their restaurant.

Originally published as Gene Hackman’s pacemaker provides critical clue to time of death as investigation continues