New Theories Emerge Surrounding the Deaths of Gene Hackman and Bessy Arakawa

New theories have surfaced regarding the deaths of 95-year-old actor Gene Hackman and his 65-year-old wife, Bessy Arakawa, suggesting that Arakawa may have died from a 'broken heart' after witnessing her husband's passing. The couple was found deceased in their New Mexico home on February 26, shocking the public. Reports indicate that a security guard discovered their bodies.

According to a report by People on February 27, the couple was found in separate rooms of their Santa Fe residence, and their pet shepherd was also found dead, while two other dogs were unharmed. Although police stated there were no clear signs of foul play, they described the circumstances of their deaths as 'unusual.' It is believed they died approximately nine days before being discovered, with both bodies showing signs of decomposition and partial mummification.

Their children had raised the possibility of a gas leak as the cause of death, but police confirmed there were no signs of gas leaks and noted the presence of scattered pills in the home, which raised suspicions. The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were sent to the medical examiner's office in Santa Fe for autopsies. Initial investigations revealed no signs of external trauma, but the cause of death remains undetermined, with results expected in a few weeks.

In the meantime, an expert not involved in the investigation suggested that Arakawa may have succumbed to 'broken heart syndrome,' a condition where extreme emotional stress from losing a loved one manifests as heart disease. James Gill, the chief medical examiner in Connecticut, analyzed the information and stated that the likelihood of a murder-suicide is low, suggesting instead that Arakawa may have died of natural causes after discovering her husband's death.

Gill noted that Hackman had a history of heart disease and had a pacemaker, making it plausible that Arakawa could have experienced a medical emergency upon finding him deceased. He explained that witnessing a loved one suddenly die can lead to increased adrenaline and heart rate, potentially causing irregular heart rhythms. However, he deemed this scenario unlikely.

While he emphasized that a murder-suicide is also improbable, he did not completely rule out the possibility that Arakawa might have made an extreme choice in her grief after finding her husband dead. This could explain the unidentified pills found near her body in the bathroom. However, it is typically noted that couples who die by suicide are found together, whereas Hackman was found in a separate room from Arakawa.

The autopsies have been completed, but authorities are still awaiting the full results and toxicology reports. Gene Hackman, who won two Academy Awards for his roles in 'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven,' married classical pianist Bessy Arakawa in 1991. He has three children from his first marriage. In a 2011 interview with GQ, he expressed a desire to be remembered as 'a decent actor.'