The sudden and mysterious deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have left many questions unanswered, with new forensic details suggesting a possible heart malfunction led to Hackman’s death.
A leading forensic expert believes the actor may have suffered a fatal fall caused by a sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
This comes after the revelation that Hackman’s pacemaker had stopped working nearly ten days before his body was discovered.
The Decomposed Bodies Found in Santa Fe Raise Many Questions
Hackman, 95, and his 64-year-old wife were found decomposing in their $3.3 million Santa Fe home on Wednesday.
The discovery of their bodies in separate rooms left investigators baffled, leading to speculation about whether the deaths were self-inflicted or the result of some other tragic sequence of events.
Given the advanced state of decomposition, it’s likely the couple had passed away weeks earlier, though the exact timeline remains unclear.
Dr. Michael Baden Explains His Theory on Gene Hackman’s Death
Forensic expert Dr. Michael Baden, a prominent pathologist, shared his theory with DailyMail.com, offering an explanation for the mysterious deaths.
Dr. Baden suggested that Hackman may have experienced a sudden cardiac arrhythmia—a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system that causes irregular heartbeat—leading to his fall.
Hackman’s body was found in a mudroom off the kitchen, with his sunglasses and cane on the floor nearby, which aligns with this theory of a sudden collapse.
Dr. Baden further explained that Hackman’s pacemaker, which was supposed to regulate his heart’s rhythm, might have malfunctioned, making it more likely for such an arrhythmia to occur.
He theorized that Hackman likely died from this condition, and the upcoming autopsy will shed more light on whether heart disease played a role.
Betsy’s Panic and Sudden Death
The circumstances surrounding Betsy’s death are also under investigation.
Dr. Baden theorizes that after finding Hackman on the floor, Betsy may have panicked and rushed to grab his medication from the bathroom, where her body was eventually discovered.
Nearby, police found prescription pills, including diltiazem (used to treat heart conditions), Tylenol, and thyroid medication, though it is unclear who they were intended for or if they were taken.
A space heater next to Betsy’s body raised more questions about her final moments.
Dr. Baden suggests that she might have tripped and fallen while trying to retrieve the medication, possibly triggering a health condition that she normally wouldn’t have experienced.
Decomposition Details and Further Speculations
The decomposition of both bodies has led to further examination of the situation.
Betsy was found in a bathroom with bloating on her face and mummification on her hands and feet, which suggests natural mummification caused by dry or cold conditions. In contrast, Hackman’s body showed signs of advanced decay.
Dr. Baden speculated that the different conditions in the two rooms may have affected the rate of decomposition.
Another curious discovery was the couple’s three dogs. One dog, a German Shepherd, was found dead in a bathroom closet, while the other two were alive, one found near Betsy and the other outside.
Dr. Baden was initially puzzled by the dead dog, but suggested that it may have been trapped in the closet for days without food or water, causing it to die from malnutrition.
Ruling Out Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Initially, Dr. Baden considered carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause of death, as the bodies had been found in a decomposed state that might have suggested exposure to the gas.
However, after further investigation, authorities confirmed that there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the home, effectively ruling out this theory.
Hackman’s Quiet Life Before His Death
Hackman, who retired from the public eye years ago, led a private life with his wife, Betsy, whom he married in 1991.
The couple had been together for over three decades before their tragic deaths.
Gene, a classically trained pianist, and Betsy had settled in Santa Fe after moving there from California in the late 1980s.
While Gene Hackman was known for his iconic acting career, his private life was kept largely out of the spotlight following his retirement, leaving many to speculate about the circumstances surrounding his and his wife’s untimely demise.