Gene Hackman was likely dead for 9 days before he and his wife were found, sheriff says

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead Wednesday in their New Mexico home, along with their dog, in circumstances officials deemed “suspicious enough” to warrant thorough investigation.

Data from actor Gene Hackman’s pacemaker shows he was likely dead for nine days before he and his wife were found dead at their New Mexico home, authorities said. The pacemaker shows Hackman’s “last event” was recorded on February 17, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said at a Friday news conference. “According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life,” the sheriff said. Hackman and his wife, along with their dog, were found dead this week in circumstances officials deemed “suspicious enough” to warrant thorough investigation. As authorities investigate their deaths, several items have been taken from the couple’s home. Two green cellular devices were removed, along with three medicines: a thyroid medication, Diltiazem – used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain – and Tylenol, according to the inventory released Friday as part of a search warrant affidavit in Santa Fe County court. Also seized by sheriff’s deputies were records from MyQuest – a medical diagnostics service – and a 2025 monthly planner, it says.