No ‘external trauma’ on Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, preliminary autopsy shows

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa‘s bodies showed no indication of “external trauma.”

The pair were discovered lifeless in their New Mexico residence on Wednesday and were subsequently “transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator,” according to a news release from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.

“An autopsy was performed,” the statement, obtained by The Independent Thursday (Feb. 27, 2025), continued. “Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.”

The release mentioned that “this remains an open investigation” while official autopsy and toxicology results are pending.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed there weren’t any “apparent signs of foul play” though he characterized the deaths as “unusual.”

October 24, 2007: Gene Hackman spotted while out and about in New York City today. Photo Credit: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

A pet dog belonging to Hackman and Arakawa was also discovered deceased in the residence, with two other dogs surviving — one inside and another outside the property.

Arakawa and the deceased canine were discovered in a bathroom where “pills scattered” were found nearby.

The piano virtuoso had apparently been deceased “for some time” with her remains showing indications of “mummification.”

Hackman was “located in a separate room of the residence.”

Though the actor’s relatives initially thought carbon monoxide might be responsible, according to TMZ, a search warrant accessed by the outlet indicated there were “no obvious signs of a gas leak.”

File Photo: Gene Hackman on June 4, 1985. Photo Credit: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch

The acclaimed 95-year-old “French Connection” performer and his companion, who married in 1991, were found by a maintenance worker.

In the worker’s recorded 911 call, he emotionally stated, “Dude, they’re not moving! Just send somebody out here real quick.”

Hackman leaves behind three children from his previous marriage to late ex-wife Faye Maltese — Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 63, and Leslie, 58.

Leslie told Daily Mail Thursday that her father “was in very good physical condition” and in “good health.”

Though due to Hackman’s advanced age, she wasn’t “terribly shock[ed]” by his death.