More than a week after the sudden and shocking deaths of legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, investigators are still struggling to determine the cause and timeline of their passing.

A Shocking Discovery in Santa Fe

On February 26, the world was stunned by the news that Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife were found dead inside their Santa Fe home. Their bodies were discovered under disturbing circumstances—when a pest control worker arrived for a scheduled visit but received no response. Growing suspicious, he contacted a security officer, who peered through a window and was met with a grim sight: the lifeless bodies of the couple inside their home.

Authorities responding to the scene found Hackman’s body in the mudroom and his wife’s body in the bathroom. To add to the tragedy, their pet dog was also found dead. Due to the advanced decomposition of the bodies, officials estimate that they had been deceased for several days before being discovered. However, the exact time of death remains a perplexing mystery.

Forensic Challenges: The Struggle to Determine the Time of Death

One of the biggest challenges for investigators is pinpointing the precise moment the couple passed away. Forensic pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek explained to People, “In the early phases after death, we can rely on factors like rigor mortis—the stiffening of the body—or algor mortis, which relates to body temperature. However, once decomposition sets in, the process becomes much more complicated.”

Melinek further noted that as bodies decompose, investigators must rely on circumstantial evidence, such as the couple’s last known sighting or the accumulation of uncollected mail. After about 10 days, decomposition accelerates, causing organs to disintegrate and making it difficult to determine who died first. Mummification, a process where the body dries out, further complicates forensic analysis.

James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, weighed in on the difficulties of postmortem examinations, stating, “The rate of decomposition depends on various environmental factors—where in the house the bodies were located, what they were wearing, and temperature conditions. Once mummification sets in, distinguishing the exact time of death becomes nearly impossible.”

Gill also emphasized that the surrounding environment plays a crucial role. “In dry conditions, a body will mummify faster than in a humid environment. The decomposition rate is highly variable,” he added.

What Killed Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa?

To rule out external causes, investigators conducted thorough examinations of the couple’s residence, checking for gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. While they did detect a minor gas leak, they found no conclusive evidence linking it to the couple’s deaths. This leaves the exact cause of death still unknown, deepening the mystery surrounding their passing.

As forensic experts continue to analyze the case, the world waits for answers to the many lingering questions about Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s final moments. Was it a tragic coincidence? A hidden medical condition? Or something more? For now, the mystery remains unsolved.