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It’s been over a week since the shocking deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.
And the circumstances surrounding those deaths remain as baffling as ever.
Hackman was 95, so normally, his passing would not merit much of an investigation. But his late wife was only 65, with no known health issues.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa death scene continues to confound investigators
Adding to the mystery is the fact that the Hollywood legend and his late wife were found dead in different parts of the house, and there was no evidence of foul play.
One of the couple’s two dogs had passed away, but two others were still roaming the property.
Initially, may presumed that the deaths were the result of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, but while police have not ruled out any possibilities, it appears as though those theories have not panned out.
Now, a professional medical examiner is positing a new possibility that might help explain how two seemingly unrelated deaths happened in such rapid succession.
Medical examiner says deaths may have been the result of ‘broken heart-type’ situation
James Gill is the Chief Medical Examiner of the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He’s not participating in the investigation into Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths, but he recently shared his informed outsider’s theory with People magazine.
“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 explains.
“But the unusual part is that why then did she also collapse? Assuming she would’ve found him. Then you start wondering about: There is this thing where the stress of seeing someone die that could have triggered a natural death in her.”
Gill says another possibility is that Hackman “found [Arakawa] and was going out to get help or get his phone, and he then collapsed from the stress of that, too. Just as likely. He’s older, he’s got known heart disease. But the autopsy would certainly show if she had heart disease or cancer or what have you.”
The ME explains that two natural deaths occurring around the same time “has been known to happen, kind of a broken heart-type thing, almost.”
“Suddenly finding your loved one dead on the floor that can increase your adrenaline and that stimulates your heart to beat faster, and that can put your heart into an irregular rhythm,” he says.
Gill notes that prescription pills were found scattered near Betsy’s body, a detail that could be a clue
He explains that after finding a loved one, “people get very despondent and they do something to take their own life, and that may be with pills or what have you. I think the toxicology workup will be helpful in excluding causes such as an intoxication or injuries.”
For now, the mystery remains unsolved
Gill concluded by cautioning that we won’t have the full story until medical examiners complete their investigation.
“I think the autopsy and the toxicology testing is what’s needed to be seen in order to make that final determination,” he says.
“Otherwise, it’s kind of speculation at this point.”
We’ll have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Gene Hackman May Have Died From ‘Broken Heart’ After Discovering Wife’s … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.