There are still a number of questions surrounding the deaths of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, after they were both found dead at their home
A puzzling theory has emerged in the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife.
The Hollywood great, 95, and his pianist wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at home last week, with it emerging that they had actually died days before. One of their dogs was also discovered dead, while two were still alive.
With a number of questions still in the air, a new theory has emerged, with an expert discussing whether they might have died by “companion suicide”. Carbon monoxide poisoning, which the family suggested, has been ruled out in the last few days.
But James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who is not connected to the case, said this theory could be an explanation – however is unlikely.
“Companion suicide” is when a couple decides to take their own lives together. But James reckons in this case it’s not likely, telling People : “Usually they’re together in bed. The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely.”
Gene was found in the mudroom of their Santa Fe, New Mexico home. He was discovered with a pair of sunglasses and a walking cane nearby.
Wife Betsy was found in the bathroom. Prescription pills were scattered on the bathroom counter.
James 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.
“And the fact that he’s ambulatory, that I think is important too, because sometimes we’ll see instances where someone is bedridden and maybe they have dementia and then their caregiver dies from a natural event, and then there’s no one there to take care of them, and then they can die from dehydration or what have you. I don’t think that’s the case in this.”
One big grey area is when Betsy died in relation to Gene. The actor’s pacemaker last recorded activity on February 17, which was nine days before they were discovered.
However it’s not clear as of yet when Betsy died, or who died first.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
