Alarming update in the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa new evidence released

New evidence has been released regarding the tragic passing of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

The couple were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26.

Authorities initially determined that Betsy Arakawa-Hackman, 65, died on or around February 11, 2025, with an autopsy confirming her cause of death as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome - a rare and often fatal disease transmitted through rodent droppings.

However, newly analyzed phone records now contradict that timeline. According to the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department, Arakawa’s phone was used on the morning of February 12 to call Cloudberry Health, a medical center in Santa Fe.

“A total of three calls were made that morning, all to the medical center. One incoming call was made to Mrs. Hackman from the same medical center that afternoon,” authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“That appeared as a missed call on Mrs. Hackman’s cell phone.”

Dr. Josiah Child, a former emergency care specialist who runs Cloudberry Health, reinforced this claim, telling the Daily Mail: "Mrs. Hackman didn’t die on February 11 because she called my clinic on February 12."

According to Dr. Child, Arakawa had scheduled an appointment for herself on February 12 - unrelated to any respiratory issues - but never showed up.

"She called back on the morning of February 12 and spoke to one of our doctors who told her to come in that afternoon. We made her an appointment, but she never showed up. She did not show any symptoms of respiratory distress."

If accurate, this means Arakawa was alive at least 24 hours longer than the coroner initially concluded.

Hackman, 95, passed away roughly a week later, with his cause of death ruled as hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor.

Medical records show that his pacemaker ceased activity on February 18, indicating this was likely the day he died.

Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell suggested that due to his cognitive decline, Hackman may not have realized that Arakawa had already passed.

Authorities believe Hackman was alone for about a week after his wife’s passing. Despite the grim circumstances, first responders reported that the home was clean and organized, and carbon monoxide poisoning was quickly ruled out.

In another tragic detail, the couple’s 12-year-old Australian kelpie mix, Zinna, was found dead inside a crate in a closet, near the bathroom where Arakawa’s body was discovered.

Investigators believe the dog died from starvation and dehydration.

However, the couple’s other two dogs - Bear and Nikita - survived, as they were free to roam the property. One of them reportedly led first responders to the couple’s bodies when authorities entered the home.

On Monday, the Hackman estate was granted a temporary restraining order preventing the release of records related to the deaths of the couple.

The order bars officials from publicly sharing autopsy reports and death records, crime scene photos or videos from the home, police body cam footage, and images of any deceased animals in the residence.

Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that detectives have answered many of the major questions, but are still waiting on specific data to close any "loose ends".

Additionally, toxicology results remain pending, which could provide further insight into the couple’s final days.