The deaths of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been ruled as natural but the mystery around their cause of death has left many scratching their heads
Body camera footage of Gene Hackman’s home has been released after he and his wife were found dead last month. The details around the deaths of Hackman, aged 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 63, have captured the world and sparked a swift investigation.
The edited clip shows police chatting with a couple of workers who phoned in to report spotting someone lying on the floor inside the New Mexico home. With no signs of a break-in or other suspicious circumstances, the officers quizzed about the chance of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Something’s not right,” one worker piped up. The authorities later ruled out any lethal leaks. The find only deepened the mystery surrounding the couple’s demise.
Medical investigators confirmed Hollywood legend Hackman died due to heart disease alongside Alzheimer’s complications. His death reportedly came a week after his wife died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – a rare disease you get from rodents.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has only released bits of the footage from their probe. A New Mexico court recently slapped a temporary restraining order on releasing any snaps or videos showing Hackman and his wife inside their home.
The estate of Hackman had lodged a plea to keep images under wraps, arguing it was crucial to safeguard the family’s constitutional right to privacy in mourning as per the 14th Amendment. Workers who looked after the grounds spoke with investigators, emphasising the importance of respecting Hackman and Arawaka’s wish for privacy.
One of them mentioned how Arawaka valued her seclusion.
Bodycam footage reveals fleeting glimpses of one of the couple’s dogs frolicking in the forested hills of their Santa Fe bordering estate.
A chap claiming to be the dog trainer responsible for the couple’s canine companions told officers that the pair were absolutely “nuts” about their dogs, noting: “There’s toys everywhere around the property.”
In a separate clip, Arakawa’s hair stylist is captured conversing with investigators. He recounted how his client never went anywhere without her pooches, mentioning that the tiniest one would even join them inside the salon during her appointments.
Tragically, that very dog was discovered in a crate close to where Arakawa lay deceased. A report from the state Department of Agriculture’s veterinary lab, obtained by The Associated Press, suggests the dog likely succumbed to dehydration and starvation.
Elizabeth Hackman, the actor’s daughter, expressed to officials her wish for the deceased dog to be cremated. They connected her with the local animal shelter to discuss the next steps.
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