The deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa

Deputies found the couple on February 26, and the sheriff's office at first called the deaths suspicious, noting scattered pills and no sign of a gas leak.^[2][6] Officials ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning,^[7][8] and data from Hackman's pacemaker showed his last recorded heart activity about nine days before the bodies were found.^[9] Investigators later released records of her final emails, calls and internet searches, showing that she had looked up flu-like symptoms and breathing problems.^[10] The dog found with them had likely died of dehydration and starvation.^[11]

Hackman's estate sought to block the release of autopsy photos and body-camera video,^[12] and a judge allowed the investigative records to be released while keeping those images private.^[13] The final autopsy reports found that Hackman died of heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer's a contributing factor, and that he likely had not eaten for a long time.^[4][5] Hackman was remembered for raw, fierce performances as reluctant heroes and conniving villains.^[14][15]