Gene Hackman’s autopsy findings after being found ‘mummified’

During an autopsy, Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa did not exhibit any “trauma.”

Two maintenance workers found the couple and their beloved German Shepherd mix at their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home. There are no apparent signs of foul play in the immediate aftermath of their death, which is still ongoing. An open bottle of prescription medication was discovered scattered across a countertop on Betsy’s bathroom floor. What the pills were, and if they had been given to Gene or Betsy, are still undetermined at this time. Meanwhile, Gene was found in a mud room off their kitchen.

Betsy, 63, was discovered decomposing with bloating on her face, mummification on her hands, and feed. Meanwhile, Gene was found in a similar state of decomposition. Since then, an autopsy has been performed to rule out any external trauma to the actor’s late wife.

A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said: “In the early hours of Thursday, February 27 2025, Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator. An autopsy was performed. No external trauma to either of the initial findings was noted.

Read more about Gene Hackman’s tragic passing and wife Betsy Arakawa’s passing on the Mirror’s live blog HERE.

Both individuals requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests. The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The toxicology and autopsy reports are still awaiting official results. This remains an open investigation. According to a search warrant, “New Mexico Gas Company examined gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, and while no signs of problems were found, a detective observed that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show symptoms of poisoning.”

His daughters Elizabeth and Leslie, as well as his granddaughter Annie, announced Gene and Betsy’s passing, and they were both deeply devastated by the news.

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, they said:” It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He had a brilliant acting career that earned him praise from millions of people all over the world, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him dearly and are devastated by his passing.

Leslie continued, “There was no indication there was anything wrong with Gene before his death,” according to Leslie. She said:” Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition, “before adding that her father did not have any major surgeries these last few months”. He enjoyed doing yoga and Pilates, and he was doing both of them frequently throughout the week. So he was in good health. “

It had taken her father a “fifth of a few months” to finally hear from her, who had become distant in his wife’s later years, according to Lesie. With his 64-year-old wife Betsy, Gene led a quiet and private life. We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple months, but everything was normal and everything was good, “Leslie shared.

After missing the pair for several weeks, two maintenance workers, Roland Lowe Begay and Jesse Kesler, found Gene and Betsy’s bodies at their home. Investigators are examining whether a space heater fell close to Betsy’s head. Meanwhile, Hackman’s body was discovered in a mudroom near the kitchen, as detailed in a search warrant.

The Oscar-winning Superman actor was found fully dressed, with his sunglasses lying beside him – a detail that hints he may have collapsed unexpectedly. Emergency responders, including firefighters, were dispatched to the residence, but no evidence of a gas leak was detected.

The couple died on Thursday at midnight on February 27th, according to Sheriff Adan Mendoza, who told The Santa Fe New Mexican, “I want to assure the community and neighborhood that there is no immediate danger to anyone.” The official who requested the search warrant stated in a statement to TMZ that he believes the two deceased people’s deaths to be suspicious enough to warrant a thorough investigation and search.

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Source: Mirror