Gene Hackman death: No significant gas, carbon monoxide leaks found during expanded probe of home appliances
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa married in 1991. (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Almost a week since Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, residence, the sheriff's department issued a report on its investigation.
The New Mexico Gas Company "confirmed that it performed a thorough search for gas leaks and carbon monoxide" Feb. 26 and found "no material findings" at the isolated home of the couple, according to a Tuesday press release obtained by Fox News Digital.
The gas utility did point out that there was "a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air – not a deadly amount) at one of the stove burners." There were also four "red tags" for code enforcement issues, including "a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces."
"The New Mexico Gas Company confirmed that it performed an extensive search for gas leaks and carbon monoxide at Gene Hackman's house on the early evening of February 26, 2025," the press release says.
GENE HACKMAN'S DEATH: WHERE INVESTIGATION STANDS, CHALLENGES AHEAD
"No noteworthy discoveries. NMGC did send five (5) red tags. One was for an infinitesimal leak (0.33% gas in air – not a fatal amount) at one of the stovetop burners. The remaining four red tags were code enforcement infractions — not including gas leaks or carbon monoxide — concerning a water heater and gas log lighters put in three fireplaces."
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed Friday at a press conference that Hackman and Arakawa were tested negative for carbon monoxide.
The Santa Fe residence of the couple was checked for carbon monoxide Feb. 26, just after the bodies were found. The Santa Fe City Fire Department gave the house the all-clear after detecting no trace of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning. New Mexico Gas Company also made an appearance and detected "no signs or evidence" of issues with pipes inside or outside Hackman's house.
Hackman, Arakawa and one of their three dogs were found dead in their home Feb. 26. Fox News Digital confirmed the oldest dog of the couple, Zinfandel, who was also known as Zinna, was the dead dog, according to the couple's long-time dog trainer. Zinna was 12 years old.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home Feb. 26. (Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
Arakawa was found on the floor in a bathroom of the couple's home. Various pills were scattered on a counter, and a space heater was on the floor next to her, according to the search warrant affidavit. Officers described the pianist as showing "obvious signs of death," including bloating and mummification.
Hackman was found in the couple's mudroom. According to a search warrant affidavit, Hackman had a cane with him and sunglasses near his head. The actor showed similar "obvious signs of death."
Law enforcement officials talk outside the home of actor Gene Hackman Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Roberto Rosales)
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department described the deaths as "suspicious" and began an investigation.
Hackman was 95 at the time of his death. (Vera Anderson/WireImage)
While the causes of death for Hackman and Arakawa have not been made public, officials suspect both had died more than a week prior to their bodies being found.
"One of the things is, in an investigation we try to piece the timeline together, typically before the event occurs, and that provides a lot of information," Mendoza said at a news conference Friday. "But, in this case, it appears like we're doing a reverse timeline.".
"We're doing a timeline from the time of death and the autopsy and the findings. We're going to begin working our way backwards," he said. "We're going to do both and then hopefully make a determination about what might have occurred to both of the individuals."
