A leading pathologist has spoken out about the possible cause of Gene Hackman’s death (
Image: Getty Images)

Hollywood A-lister, Gene Hackman, and his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in New Mexico last week, leaving the actor’s legion of fans heartbroken

A prominent pathologist has spoken out about Gene Hackman’s tragic death after the star’s body was found at his home last week.

In a shocking statement, police revealed the much-loved actor had died, aged 95, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, in New Mexico. The couple’s bodies were reportedly showing signs of decomposition and were partially mummified – with some speculating a ‘companion suicide’ as the cause of death,

Police have said that Gene was found dead in the house’s mud room, with his cane and sunglasses near him on the ground, while his wife was discovered lying on the bathroom floor with prescription pills strewn across the nearby countertop.

However, a chief medical examiner has debunked the possibility of a suicide pact, saying that in “cases like that”, the couple are usually found next to each other in bed.

Gene Hackman, and his wife of 30 years, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead at their home in New Mexico ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Police have said Betsy’s body was found on the bathroom floor next to a countertop strewn with bottles of pills ( 
Image:
NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Speaking to People, James Gill, Connecticut’s Chief Medical Examiner, said it is “not likely” the pair took their own lives together, revealing: “I’ve seen cases like that – usually they’re together in bed. The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely.”

Suggesting Gene may have collapsed, he continued: “From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems like he may have collapsed — he’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual.” Gill also dismissed the theory that Gene may have died from dehydration if Betsy died before him, as the star was not bedridden and could still move around on his own.

Police are still trying to piece together the couple’s last movements and have drawn up a list of people they are talking to, including the actor’s children Christopher, 65, Elizabeth Jean, 63, and Leslie, 58, who he had with his ex-wife Faye Maltese. The family are said to be eagerly awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

As the investigation enters its seventh day, Gill highlights one of the most important questions surrounding the tragic deaths, asking: “What’s the time [of Gene’s death] related to his wife? When did she die? That’s a little bit more of a grey area, I think.”