Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Gene Hackman may have died from a broken heart, a new theory suggests.The Superman actor, 95, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, and their dog were found dead at their home in New Mexico on February 26.Hackman was discovered in the home’s mudroom, while Arakawa was found dead in the bathroom, where prescription pills were scattered on a counter.”Two other dogs who appeared healthy were located on the property” as well, authorities said.
Gene Hackman is photographed on March 14, 1981, in Long Beach, California.
Gene Hackman is photographed on March 14, 1981, in Long Beach, California.
Paul Harris/Getty Images
County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper that there was no indication of foul play.”This is an active and ongoing investigation,” a spokesperson told Newsweek via email.Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner James Gill, who is not investigating the couple’s deaths, told People that Hackman may have found Arakawa “and was going out to get help or get his phone, and he then collapsed from the stress of that…He’s older, he’s got known heart disease. But the autopsy would certainly show if she had heart disease or cancer or what have you.”Gill added that two deaths from natural causes occurring around the same time isn’t uncommon.”Kind of a broken heart-type thing, almost,” he said.Gill also said there’s a possibility that Arakawa was the one to find Hackman.”He may have collapsed. He’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual. But the unusual part is that why then did she also collapse? Assuming she would’ve found him,” Gill said. “Then you start wondering about: There is this thing where the stress of seeing someone die that could have triggered a natural death in her.”He explained: “Suddenly finding your loved one dead on the floor that can increase your adrenaline and that stimulates your heart to beat faster, and that can put your heart into an irregular rhythm.”People can also “get very despondent and they do something to take their own life, and that may be with pills or what have you.”Gill said these theories are “kind of speculation at this point,” though, and that “the autopsy and the toxicology testing is what’s needed to be seen in order to make that final determination.”
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa are seen during the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 19, 2003, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa are seen during the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 19, 2003, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
On Tuesday, the New Mexico Gas Company confirmed “there were no significant findings” in its extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide at the couple’s home.On Wednesday, Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya shared his own opinion on Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths, suggesting they actually may have died at the same time.”Just because both bodies were in similar ways where we, as experts, sad to say that we know a lot about how people die and how long people are dead for—both bodies are in a similar manner that it could be a similar timeframe,” he told Fox News Digital.The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office posted a news release on Wednesday that stated new details about Hackman and Arakawa’s investigation will be released on Friday.Mendoza “will be joined by officials from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and the New Mexico Department of Health in a joint news conference to report updates in the death investigation of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa,” the statement read. “Santa Fe City Fire Department officials will also be in attendance.”
