Mystery Deepens: Gene Hackman’s Wife Made Calls After Estimated Death

New Mexico authorities revealed that cellphone records show Betsy Arakawa, wife of actor Gene Hackman, was alive a day after her estimated time of death. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack Avila confirmed that Arakawa made three calls to Cloudberry, a private medical clinic, on the morning of Feb. 12—despite the Medical Investigator’s Office estimating she died on Feb. 11.

Arakawa, 65, and Hackman, 95, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26, along with one of their three dogs. Hackman is believed to have died on Feb. 18.

Authorities are still investigating the timeline, previously noting Feb. 11 as Arakawa’s last known activity. Cloudberry’s Dr. Josiah Child stated that Arakawa had scheduled and later canceled a respiratory-related appointment for Feb. 12 but called the clinic that morning. She initially sought an appointment for Hackman.

The cause of Arakawa’s death—hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—is rare, typically transmitted through contact with rodent droppings. Hackman’s death was attributed to cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor.

Meanwhile, a New Mexico judge has temporarily blocked investigators from releasing images of the couple’s bodies, their home’s interior, or deceased animals found on the property. A hearing is scheduled for March 31.