Gene Hackman cops warn death is ‘still full of loopholes’ as investigation continues

The mysterious deaths of legend and his wife Betsy Arakawa are under investigation, with detectives now examining “loopholes” in their findings. The retired American actor, famed for his roles in classics such as The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992), was married to Hawaiian pianist Betsy in 1991.

Tragically, Betsy, 65, is believed to have died on February 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare disease transmitted by rodents. Authorities added in a press conference on Friday that Gene is thought to have died one week later from heart disease and complications from on an empty stomach. However, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza has confirmed that investigators won’t conclude the case until all potential loopholes have been thoroughly scrutinised.

Sheriff Mendoza stated: “We consider this an open investigation until we close the loopholes of the cell phones, until we finish out the necropsy results of the canine and the other loose ends that we need to tie up.

“But you know, I think we’re pretty close to the timeline and with the information that (chief medical investigator) Dr Heather Jarrell provided.”

At the couple’s Santa Fe home, one of their dogs, Zinna, was found dead in a crate inside a bathroom closet, just “10 to 15 feet” from Arakawa’s body. Their other two dogs, Bear and Nikita, were discovered alive at the property but visibly shaken.

Results of a necropsy to determine Zinna’s cause and time of death are pending. The surviving dogs are currently being held at a dog boarding facility in Santa Fe, with until Gene and Betsy’s wills are reviewed.

Gene, who was battling advanced Alzheimer’s, depended entirely on his wife for support. Tragically, after her death, he is believed to have spent a week alone in their Santa Fe residence before his own death around February 18, with the last activity from his pacemaker recorded then.

Dr Heather Jarrell suggested that Hackman’s severe Alzheimer’s might have rendered him

Authorities are awaiting the couple’s mobile phone records, yet the Sheriff has expressed it is “highly unlikely” they will uncover anything not already known. He also verified there’s no sign Hackman had any contact with others in the week leading up to his death.

The Sheriff said: “I don’t know if he used cell phones or technology or emails, there’s no indication of that. So right now there is no activity from Mr Hackman.”

Betsy’s last known outing was a round of errands and shopping February 11. She visited a pharmacy, pet shop and picked up groceries before returning to their gated neighbourhood that evening. The experts found that Betsy stopped answering emails on that day.

Following the tragic news of Gene and Betsy’s deaths last month, the actor’s family, including his daughters Elizabeth and Leslie and granddaughter Annie, stated they are “devastated” by the loss in an emotional statement.

They said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”