Gene Hackman found dead with wife: Theories swirl around their sudden death

Gene Hackman, the acclaimed character actor who won two Oscars during a career spanning more than 60 years, died at home of unknown causes alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog.

The 95-year-old actor and Arakawa, 64, had been dead for some time before a maintenance worker discovered their bodies at the couple's Santa Fe home in New Mexico, according to investigators who scrambled to determine the cause of death of one of Hollywood’s most respected figures.

"Foul play is not suspected as a factor in these deaths at this time; however, the exact cause of death has not been determined," an official police statement said. The police also applied for a search warrant, informing the judge that the deaths were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation".

UNCLEAR CIRCUMSTANCES SPARK SPECULATIONS

Elizabeth Jean Hackman, Hackman’s daughter, said his wife and the dog likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Forensic expert Michael Baden also claimed that the couple’s deaths were “typical” of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“When a car motor engine is left on...and it isn’t properly turned off, carbon monoxide comes out of the exhaust and goes into the house. Dogs, or any other type of animal, and humans die. They don’t feel any type of pain, they don’t know anything’s wrong. It’s silent. Carbon Monoxide is painless, and they just go to sleep,” he said.

Additionally, experts noted that carbon monoxide poisoning can also result from a boiler malfunction.

The police found Hackman in the kitchen and Arakawa, along with the dog, in a bathroom, where scattered pills from an open prescription bottle were discovered on the bathroom counter. This also sparked speculation about any possible reasons surrounding drugs, though a scientific examination is still pending.

According to police, both Hackman and Arakawa appeared to have suddenly collapsed to the floor, and neither showed signs of blunt force trauma. Two other dogs were found alive on the property--one was in the bathroom with Arakawa, while the other was outside the home.

Given Hackman's age and his history of health problems, including a heart condition, some theories suggest that natural causes related to his health might have played a role.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told local media that the actor and his family could have been victims of a double homicide, suicide, accidental death, or natural causes.

The simultaneous deaths, including that of the dog, have also led to further speculation, as many find it unusual that all three would pass away at the same time without any external factors.

Hackman, known for his versatility, was among the finest actors of his generation, portraying villains, heroes, and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies, and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s. He was loved and admired by millions around the world.