Gene Hackman and his wife’s death case will remain open until authorities ‘close the loopholes,’ according to Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza.
The actor, aged 95, and his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, were tragically discovered deceased in their $3.8 million residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with one of their dogs named Zinna.
It was revealed by authorities after speculations that Arakawa passed away on February 11 due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a disease transmitted by rats.
Shortly after, Hackman also passed away around February 18. Dr. Heather Jarrell, the state’s Chief Medical Investigator, mentioned that due to his advanced Alzheimer’s condition, Hackman, who relied on his wife for care, was not looked after during this period.
Despite each of their deaths being ruled as natural, with no signs of internal or external trauma, Mendoza said the case will not be closed just yet.
Specifically, the Sheriff said they are waiting to see the couple’s cell phone records, as well as the results of a necropsy, or autopsy, that is set to be conducted on their deceased dog.
‘We consider this an open investigation until we close the loopholes of the cell phone, until we finish out the necropsy results of the canine and the other loose ends that we need to tie up,’ Mendoza said during a press conference Friday.
‘But, you know, I think we’re pretty close to the timeline and with the information that Dr. Jarrell provided,’ he added.
Santa Fe Sheriff Adam Mendoza said his department plans to keep Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s cases open despite their causes of death being revealed after weeks of speculation. (Pictured: The couple in 1991)
Specifically, the Sheriff (pictured Friday) said they are waiting to see the couple’s cell phone records, as well as the results of a necropsy that is set to be conducted on their deceased dog
According to a search warrant obtained by Fox New Digital, detectives listed two cellphones among the items taken from their home.
Although he made it clear that his department wants to take a look at the cell phone records, Mendoza also said it was ‘very unlikely’ they would uncover anything they didn’t already know in regard to the timeline of their deaths.
He also said he was unsure if the Oscar winner even used a cell phone, or if he tried to communicate with anyone while alone in the house for a week after Arakawa died.
‘I don’t know if he used cell phones or technology or emails, there’s no indication of that. So right now there is no activity from Mr. Hackman,’ he added.
When asked if he knew if Arakawa communicated with loved ones about how she wasn’t feeling well prior to her sudden death, Mendoza said that he hopes phone records might reveal that.
‘Again, we’re going through some of the communications, and I think the cellphones may have some indications of that prior to the 11th.
‘But as of this moment, I don’t have any information that she was indicating that she was feeling ill during any communication,’ he said.
Arakawa is said to have died first due to her infection, which initially presents with flu-like symptoms.
Arakawa is said to have died first due to her infection, which initially presents with flu like symptoms. Hackman is believed to have died in the home (pictured) about a week later
A CDC source previously told DailyMail.com that while the couple’s main home did not show any signs of rodent activity, some of the property’s outbuildings – including a garage and two casitas – had rodent droppings and other evidence of rodent activity.
Hantavirus is typically reported in spring and summer, often due to exposures that occur when people are near mouse droppings in homes, sheds or poorly ventilated areas.
While hantavirus is found throughout the world, most cases in the U.S. have been found in western states.
The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
The mortality of the hantavirus strain in the south west of the United States is about 38 to 50 percent, and is not transmissible from person to person, Dr Jarrell revealed.
In a full timeline of events, officials said that Arakawa had picked up their dog Zinna from a vet hospital after the dog underwent treatment on February 9.
On February 11, they said she had an email conversation with her massage therapist before going to the farmer’s market later in the afternoon.
She was caught on CVS surveillance footage shortly after the market, before then going to a local pet food store.
Their 12-year-old dog Zinna was found dead along with them in the home. She is believed to have died from starvation and dehydration after being left to fend for herself in a crate after her owners died. (Pictured: Hackman and Arakawa with their old dogs in 2005)
Her car was then seen on surveillance entering the gated community at 5:15pm on February 11.
Officials said that numerous emails went unopened on February 11, and that there was no further communication from her account after that day.
Officials also said that Zinna had been found dead inside a crate in their residence, and was likely put in it after her treatment.
Hackman was discovered lying on the ground of a mud room just off the kitchen with his sunglasses and cane nearby, indicating he may have fallen, according to officials.
Jarrell said that there was no food inside Hackman, and that there was no signs of dehydration.
‘Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,’ Jarrell said.
‘He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.’
His wife was found lying on her side in the bathroom with a space heater next to her head.
On Friday, officials also said that prescription pills found strewn across a countertop have since been identified as those prescribed for treating a thyroid problem.
The 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix was found in the same bathroom as Betsy’s body- just 10 to 15 feet from her owner.
Their two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, survived and were found roaming free at the home.
Officials said that numerous emails went unopened on February 11, and that there was no further communication from Arakawa’s account after that day. (Pictured: The couple in 1993)
Hackman (pictured in 2005) was discovered lying on the ground of a mud room just off the kitchen with his sunglasses and cane nearby, indicating he may have fallen according to officials
While police are still waiting for the dog’s necropsy results, New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps suggested that dehydration and starvation are two likely causes that Zinna died when the other pets survived.
Phipps could not completely rule out Zinna being exposed to hantavirus, the infection that led to Betsy’s death, but she deemed it extremely unlikely as ‘dogs do not get sick from hantavirus.’
The reclusive couple’s dogs, who were lovingly cared for by the couple, were left alone when they died.
A German Shepherd named Bear and a second dog named Nikita were found running around the 12 acre property – with a dog door allowing them access to food and water that likely kept them alive.
Last week, Santa Fe officials said that Hackman’s last event noted on his pacemaker was recorded on February 17.
Officials had also said that there was no trace of carbon monoxide in the bodies of the couple, despite many thinking they died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning at first.
