Gene Hackman investigators reveal drugs they found inside mummified actor's home alongside haunting document
Two different medications and a 2025 calendar were found inside Gene Hackman's home where he died along with his wife and dog.
Mummified bodies of retired actor Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found in their secluded mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday.
Amid speculation of their mystery cause of death, including suggestions by his family of carbon monoxide poisoning, police ordered autopsies and toxicology tests.
Investigators searched the $3.8 million home on Thursday and found thyroid medication and Diltiazem inside, along with Tylenol.
Arakawa was found dead on the floor of the couple's bathroom. An open bottle of prescription pills was found partially scattered on a countertop nearby.
Both Diltiazem and common thyroid medications can cause death if too much is ingested, as they interfere with heart function - but extremely few fatalities have been recorded even when dozens were swallowed in suicide attempts.
Police also listed two green phones, a 2025 monthly calendar planner and the couple's health records, but didn't go into detail about what was in them.
Gene Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 64, (seen in March last year) were found in their secluded mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday
An emotional 911 call revealed a maintenance worker's panic after he discovered the bodies of actor Gene Hackman and his wife in their Santa Fe home
Autopsies were completed early on Thursday morning, authorities are still waiting on the full results, along with a toxicology report.
One of Gene's three children, Leslie Anne Hackman, earlier told DailyMail.com she and her sister Elizabeth Jean speculated that they may have been killed by inhaling toxic fumes due to a carbon monoxide leak.
But Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company tested the couple's home for carbon monoxide and other foreign elements after their bodies were found, and concluded the area was safe.
'New Mexico Gas Company responded to the residence and was conducting active testing on the gas line in and around the residence,' an affidavit stated.
'As of now there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.'
Sheriff Adan Mendoza said in a statement Thursday afternoon that 'initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual'.
'There were no apparent signs of foul play. The manner and cause of death has not been determined.
'The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.'
Hackman was found dead a mud room just off the couple's kitchen. His sunglasses and cane were on the floor next to him, sparking speculation he may have died from a fall.
Santa Fe County deputies were photographed outside of Betsy and Gene's home in Santa Fe on Thursday as they continue to investigate the cause of death
A worker sobbed and cursed as dogs barked in the background when he discovered the mummified remains.
'Damn, damn!' the man, who identified himself as the caretaker, told 911 on Wednesday.
'I think we just found a deceased person inside the house,' he continued, sniffing and crying, while the late couple's two surviving dogs barked in the background.
The man was unable to tell the dispatcher the age of the residents of the home but said they were 'a female and a a male, probably.'
'I don't know, sir, just send somebody up here quick,' the worker pleaded. 'The house is closed, it's locked... I can't go in but I see she's laying on the floor.'
When asked if they appear to awake, the man responds repeatedly says no. 'They're not moving. Just send somebody up here.'
Hackman and his wife are believed to have lay dead for up to two weeks and were found partially-mummified. The skin and tissue of their bodies had been preserved, likely by the cool dry winter climate that Santa Fe enjoys.
But the 911 call contradicts the search warrant affidavit, which states a maintenance worker reported the home's front door was open when he arrived to do routine work.
An explanation for this discrepancy has not yet been shared by investigators.
A dead German shepherd was found in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, police said. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said during an unrelated news conference on Thursday that the dog was found in a kennel.
Two healthy dogs were found on the property — one inside and one outside.
'There was no indication of a struggle,' Mendoza said. 'There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed, you know, that would be indication that there was a crime that had occurred.'
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber paid tribute to the legendary actor on Thursday afternoon, describing him as a 'gracious, friendly' celebrity who 'treated everyone well
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber paid tribute to the legendary actor on Thursday afternoon, describing him as a 'gracious, friendly' celebrity who 'treated everyone well in an interview with NBC News Now's Tom Llamas on his show Top Story.
'He fit in, in a good way,' Webber said. 'These are two people who have huge talent, gifts, global reputations, and here in Santa Fe they're just down to earth people and part of the community.'
'The town of Santa Fe is a great place for people to come who may be global icons, huge stars, but here in Santa Fe they're just... part of us.'
Leslie, 58, said that the family is still processing what happened since 'there was no indication that there was any problem' with her father prior to his death.
'Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,' she revealed, while adding that her father did not have any major surgeries these last few months.
'He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.'
The results of an autopsy could take four to six weeks to be published, local officials have said.
Gene and Betsy got married in 1991 and were married for 34 years before their tragic deaths.
'They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive,' Leslie said.
