Criminal Assessment: The Suspicious Deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Death investigations are often complex, and every case should be treated as a homicide until proven otherwise.
The recent discovery of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, deceased in their Santa Fe home has raised numerous questions. Law enforcement has classified their deaths as “suspicious,” with several unsettling details emerging. Hackman’s mummified remains were found in the mudroom, indicating he had been dead for a significant period. Arakawa was discovered in a bathroom near a space heater, with prescription pills scattered on the counter. Her body was also partially mummified. Adding to the mystery, a dog was also found dead at the scene.
This case presents several complexities, and as a law enforcement officer and applied criminologist, I want to provide insight into the investigative process. Understanding the steps detectives will take in a high-profile case like this can offer a clearer perspective on how such deaths are analyzed.
This assessment will analyze the potential causes of death based on criminal probability and forensic investigation, outlining a likely sequence of events leading to their deaths. Given the available evidence, a timeline and probability percentages will be presented. However, this analysis remains subject to change as new forensic and evidentiary findings emerge.
Death investigations are often complex, and as a former homicide investigator, I adhere to a fundamental principle: every case should be treated as a homicide until proven otherwise. Another guiding rule, famously stated by retired NYPD Homicide Commander Vernon Geberth, is that only three entities truly know what happened at a crime scene—the victim, the suspect, and God. This is why homicide detectives say we “work for God.”
Suggested Probable Timeline of Events and Possible Death Progression Estimation
Gene Hackman’s Death (Estimated: 2 Weeks Prior to Discovery)
Given his advanced age (95) and reliance on a cane, Hackman may have suffered a sudden medical event, such as a heart attack or stroke, leading to a fall in the mudroom.
His position on the floor, the nearby cane, and the lack of visible trauma suggests an accidental fall or medical collapse rather than foul play.
Mummification suggests that Hackman had been deceased the longest, as this process requires low humidity and an extended period of exposure. New Mexico's arid climate, particularly during the winter months of January and February, creates ideal conditions for the natural mummification of unattended remains.
Betsy Arakawa’s Death (Likely Within Hours of Hackman’s Death)
Upon discovering Hackman’s body, Arakawa may have gone into psychological distress or suffered from shock, grief, or a medical event.
The scattered pills near her body indicate a possible overdose, either intentional (suicide) or accidental.
Her decomposition state suggests she survived Hackman for some time, but not long enough for her body to reach full mummification.
The scattered drugs on the bathroom floor and the space heater, lying on the ground as though it had fallen, are also key factors to consider. One major unknown is whether the space heater was an unvented combustion model. If it was, carbon monoxide poisoning could be a possibility when it fell. However, if it was an electric heater, it can be ruled out as a cause of death since no evidence of fire or smoke inhalation.
The Dog’s Death (Either Near the Time of Arakawa’s Death or days after her death)
The dog’s death puzzles me and raises critical questions, as two other dogs survived, but they were outside. This dog was, according to reports in a room with the door closed. Possible explanations include:
Starvation or dehydration if the dog was trapped in a room without access to food or water. Dogs can survive without food for 5 to 14 days, but they typically cannot last more than 2 to 3 days without water.
Poisoning, either from an environmental source (such as a gas leak or carbon monoxide) or from ingesting toxic substances, such as drugs scattered on the floor.
Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure remains a possibility despite no detected leaks as indicated by the fire department, however as CO dissipates over time and could have been present earlier. A week or two of ventilation would eliminate the source of carbon monoxide and leave it undetectable to the firefighters’ devices upon their response.
Environmental and Crime Scene Considerations
The slightly open exterior door suggests an individual may have exited the premises or that it was unintentionally left ajar. This could have been done by the assailant(s) or simply left ajar by either Gene or Betsy (purposefully or accidentally prior to death.
The lack of blood or blunt force trauma reduces the likelihood of a violent struggle or homicide by assault.
Investigators have ruled out carbon monoxide leaks, but as mentioned earlier CO poisoning cannot be dismissed entirely, as it dissipates over time and may not be detectable after weeks.
The presence of prescription pills necessitates toxicology testing to determine if an overdose played a role in Arakawa’s death.
Investigators should explore financial motives, including who inherits Hackman’s estate and any life insurance policies.
Probability Percentages for Cause of Death (Subject to Change with Further Evidence)
Gene Hackman
Highest:
Sudden medical event (heart attack, stroke, or fall).
Environmental factors (CO poisoning, dehydration).
Lowest:
External foul play (homicide or forced exposure).
Other (undetermined medical cause or poisoning):
Betsy Arakawa
Highest:
Prescription medication overdose (intentional or accidental).
Environmental factors (CO poisoning, dehydration, exposure).
Lowest:
External foul play (homicide or coercion).
Other medical cause (shock, stress-induced event, undiagnosed condition).
Dog
Highest:
Starvation/dehydration.
Poisoning (accidental or intentional).
Lowest:
CO poisoning or other environmental factors.
Other unknown cause.
I am a firm believer in the laws of probability, which expresses the total probability of an outcome which can be realized through several distinct events. However, with that being said, please remember the first rule mentioned at the beginning of this assessment: “every case should be treated as a homicide until proven otherwise.”
Key Investigative Leads to Follow
Toxicology Reports – Test for drugs, poisons, and carbon monoxide levels for both victims and animal. This report, like in most death investigations is valuable information to the investigators if received in a timely manner.
Autopsy Findings – Determine the official causes of death and identify any hidden injuries for both the victims. If possible, conduct a "Virtual Autopsy", which is a non-invasive procedure that employs digital imaging technologies, such as CT or MRI scans, to generate three-dimensional images of the body, enabling a virtual examination of the deceased. This advanced technology can uncover evidence or reveal injuries that may be overlooked by the human eye.
Environmental Testing – Re-examine the home with advanced testing equipment for toxic substances that may have dissipated.
Prescription Drug History – Investigate any histories of prescription misuse.
Security Footage – Look for visitors or suspicious activity near the home.
Financial Records – Identify heirs and analyze financial transactions for foul play. “Follow the money” is always a key component to criminal investigations.
Household Utilities – Check if gas or power outages could have contributed. Was a natural gas fireplace in use?
Witness Interviews – Speak with friends, family, and workers who last saw them.
Animal Necropsy – Determine if poisoning or starvation caused the dog’s death. Further, is there any evidence at the scene to show the dog trying to force or claw out of the room, foraging for food, excessive excrement or urine on the floor of the room, etc.
Heat Exposure Analysis – Consider if the space heater played a role in Arakawa’s or the dogs’ death.
Surviving Dogs’ Condition – Assess their health and access to food/water.
Estate and Will Analysis – Review Hackman’s estate and life insurance for possible financial motives.
Recent Medical Records – Check pre-existing conditions of the victims that could lead to collapse.
Scene Reconstruction – Recreate the last known movements of both individuals through the use of advanced crime scene mapping technology.
Timeline Verification – Validate when they were last seen alive through multiple sources.
Entry and Exit Analysis – Determine if anyone entered or left through the slightly open door.
Weather Conditions – Consider if extreme temperatures contributed to dehydration or hypothermia.
Neighbor Testimonies – Ask if anything unusual was seen or heard in recent weeks.
Review of Previous Health Concerns – Investigate whether either had a history of fainting, seizures, or other sudden-onset conditions.
Electronic Leads - Investigate cell phone records, location data, call and message logs, social media footprints, email and online communications, surveillance camera footage, financial transactions, computer and digital storage devices, smart home devices, vehicle tracking data, drone or aerial data, forensics on all digital devices, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth tracking.
Final Considerations
This case presents a unique blend of natural, environmental, and potential external influences that require thorough forensic investigation. Toxicology results and forensic testing will be critical in determining whether environmental poisoning, prescription overdose, or another factor contributed to their deaths.
Until further evidence emerges, this assessment remains a working hypothesis subject to revision as new information becomes available.
Makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the analysis.