On February 26, Hollywood was struck by the devastating news of the deaths of actor Gene Hackman, 95, his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, and their dog, discovered at their Santa Fe home. Two other dogs survived the tragic incident. While the circumstances surrounding the deaths initially sparked speculation, a leading forensic expert has suggested that their passing may have been the result of a tragic accident.

The discovery of their bodies raised numerous questions, with several peculiar details about the scene. According to a search warrant application, law enforcement found a bathroom to the left of the front door upon entering the home. Arakawa was found on the bathroom floor, near a black space heater, and there were scattered pills from an open prescription bottle on the counter. The couple’s German Shepherd dog was also discovered nearby, in a closet within the bathroom.

Hackman’s body was later found in what appeared to be a mudroom, with his cane and sunglasses lying nearby. The bodies showed signs of decomposition, indicating they had been deceased for some time. Authorities later revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last heartbeat on February 17, suggesting that they had been gone for nearly a week before being found.

Initial investigations ruled out some potential causes of death. Both Hackman and Arakawa showed no signs of blunt force trauma, and there were no indications of forced entry into the home, eliminating the possibility of a break-in. Additionally, a thorough examination ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, as no traces of the toxic gas were found in the house.

A possible explanation for their deaths was recently offered by Dr. Michael Baden, a prominent forensic pathologist and former chief medical examiner for New York City. Speaking to Fox News, Dr. Baden suggested that Hackman’s pacemaker might provide valuable insight into the tragic events. The pacemaker records the heart’s rhythm, and when it detects an abnormal pulse, it can discharge a shock. Dr. Baden speculated that Hackman may have suffered a fatal heart attack due to preexisting heart disease, as suggested by his medical history of coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

Dr. Baden theorized that Hackman may have collapsed suddenly in the mudroom, his heart unable to maintain a normal rhythm. As for Arakawa, Dr. Baden speculated that she was likely still alive when Hackman had his cardiac event. Arakawa may have rushed to retrieve his blood pressure medication from the bathroom, where she spilled the pills. In her haste, she may have slipped, causing her to fall and strike her head on the floor or a nearby object. This could have led to an internal brain injury that was not immediately visible from the outside. Alternatively, Dr. Baden suggested that at 65, Arakawa may have had her own heart issues, and the stress of the situation could have triggered a fatal cardiac rhythm disturbance.

The discovery of pills near her body supports the idea that Arakawa had tried to help Hackman before her own tragic death. She might have been trying to return to him with the medication but never made it.

Another curious aspect of the scene involved the couple’s dogs. One of the three dogs was found dead in a bathroom closet, while the other two survived. Initially, it was unclear whether the deceased dog had been free to roam the house, but further investigation revealed that the dog had been confined to a kennel. Dr. Baden suggested that the dog’s death was likely caused by dehydration and lack of water during the nine-day period it was unable to escape the cage.

While the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog remain a source of sorrow, Dr. Baden’s theory presents a possible explanation: a heartbreaking accident in which Hackman’s sudden cardiac arrest triggered a series of events that led to Arakawa’s fall and eventual death, with the dog tragically succumbing to dehydration. If this theory proves accurate, it would mark the end of a beloved couple’s lives under profoundly unfortunate circumstances.