According to Gene Hackman’s pacemaker tests, he was still alive on February 17th when a “last event” was recorded, which was nine days prior to his corpse and his wife’s being found at their house, according to authorities, reports Breaking News.
Police said there were no obvious evidence of foul play in the deaths of the 95-year-old two-time Oscar winner and his 65-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa, who was discovered dead at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday along with one of their pets.
According to the police, there is a “reasonable assumption” that he passed away during the “last event” of his pacemaker, reports Breaking News.
“Both individuals tested negative for carbon monoxide,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said during a press conference earlier Friday after speaking with a pathologist involved in the investigation.
“An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr Hackman’s pacemaker, reports Breaking News.
“This revealed that his last event was recorded February 17 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed,” reports Breaking News.
He also said: “Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending,” reports Breaking News.
According to police’ warrant, Hackman’s wife was discovered in a bathroom adjacent to a space heater, and his corpse was discovered in a mud room.
In the past, Mr. Mendoza had stated that there were several contradictory accounts on which doors at the house were closed. He claimed that some were unlocked and that a rear door was open, allowing the two dogs that survived to enter and exit, reports Breaking News.
He said that he believed the front door to be unlocked but closed.
Two further dogs, one inside and one outside, were discovered alive on the premises.
According to the police, the alarm was set off by a maintenance worker who was performing pest control on the home and was worried since he had not seen the pair, reports Breaking News.
The remains were recovered in accordance with a search order, and New Mexico Gas Company inspected gas lines in and around the house, finding no indications of issues.
According to Mr. Mendoza, “that’s one of our challenges because of their privacy,” while investigators are still working to put together the couple’s final known interactions with others.
The bodies were found after a search, and a number of objects were “secured from the residence for evidentiary purposes,” reports Breaking News.
Among these were two green cell phones, two medicine bottles, health records, and a monthly calendar until 2025.
A calendar discovered close to the couple’s remains is being examined, and efforts are currently underway to “sift through cell phones.”
Additionally, family members, security personnel, and employees will be contacted.
“I don’t think, you know, there was any indication that, again, there was no trauma or injured themselves, or head injury or brain injury,” Mr. Mendoza stated, adding that there is no evidence that the pair fell,” reports Breaking News.
“A person’s death may occur when their pacemaker stops functioning, but it’s not always the case,” said Dr. Philip Keen, the retired chief medical examiner for Maricopa County, Arizona, reports Breaking News.
He said later: “If your heart required a pacemaker, there would certainly be an interruption at that point – and it might be the hallmark of when the death occurred. But it’s not necessarily because some people get a pacemaker to augment things, not necessarily replace things,” reports Breaking News.
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