Forensic expert’s theory surrounding the ‘unusual’ circumstances of Gene Hackman, wife’s deaths

nypost.com:

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths as well as that of their dog could be the result of a tragic accident, according to forensic pathologist Dr.

Michael Baden.A criminal investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa was launched Wednesday after New Mexico authorities found the 95-year-old actor, the 65-year-old classical pianist and one of their dogs dead in their Santa Fe home under circumstances deemed “suspicious.”Santa Fe Sheriff Department officials have said that there were no obvious signs of foul play and no external trauma was seen on either Hackman or Arakawa.

After preliminary autopsies were completed, Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that the couple tested negative for carbon monoxide and Oscar-winning actor likely died about nine days before the bodies were discovered.During an appearance on “Fox Report,” Baden explained that Hackman’s pacemaker, which the sheriff said last recorded an event on Feb.

17, could offer a key clue.“That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate,” he said. “The pacemaker keeps track of the pulse, and when it gets down too low, it discharges.