Former FBI Agent Bill Daly Suggests Food Poisoning in Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths.
Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead in their Santa Fe home last week, leaving their deaths shrouded in mystery. According to former FBI agent Bill Daly, food poisoning could be a potential cause of death.
Hackman, an Oscar-winning actor, and Arakawa, a classical pianist, were discovered in their $3.8 million Santa Fe home, with no visible signs of foul play.
Potential Cause of Death: Food Poisoning?
While the cause of their deaths remains uncertain, Daly suggested that toxicology tests might reveal food poisoning as a possible factor.
"There are a number of possibilities," Daly explained, noting that investigators would likely examine the couple's trash and fridge as part of their investigation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed there were no signs of external trauma or foul play. Despite the initial suspicions, law enforcement no longer believes anyone else was involved in the deaths. The investigation remains ongoing.
No Signs of Foul Play: Investigation Continues
The couple’s dogs were found in the home, with one dog dead inside a kennel and the other two roaming around, healthy. The police found an orange prescription bottle, two cellphones, and a 2025 planner near Arakawa’s body while searching the home.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa
Hackman’s pacemaker recorded his last event on February 17, nine days before his body was discovered, which could help pinpoint a time frame for their deaths. Despite the front door being found ajar, there was no evidence of forced entry.
Gas Leak Ruled Out
The Santa Fe Fire Department ruled out the possibility of a gas leak, further narrowing down potential causes of the deaths. Police are not currently suspicious of foul play, citing a lack of evidence to support such claims.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza assured that the investigation would continue and that all possibilities would be explored.
The Reclusive Life of Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner known for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven, had lived a reclusive life in Santa Fe after retiring from acting in 2004.
He had moved to the quiet town with his wife in the late 1980s, leaving behind his Hollywood career. Hackman, who had an estimated net worth of $80 million, rarely appeared in public, though he was occasionally spotted riding his bicycle in Santa Fe.
Gene Hackman’s rustic Santa Fe home
Neighbors and Privacy
Hackman and Arakawa’s reclusive lifestyle also meant that many neighbors rarely saw them. Despite living in a gated community, most neighbors did not interact with the couple, adding to the mystery of how their deaths went unnoticed for so long.
A Final Tribute
Hackman’s death comes just days before the 2025 Academy Awards, an event that would have surely recognized his remarkable legacy. He and Arakawa had been together since the mid-1980s, after meeting when Arakawa worked at a California gym. Together, they built a life in Santa Fe, far removed from the Hollywood spotlight.
Gene Hackman in Unforgiven (1992)
Conclusion
As authorities continue to investigate the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, the possibility of food poisoning remains one of the leading theories. However, the true cause of death has not been determined.
