Police release new evidence in timeline of Hackman and his wife's death

BBC - Mar 17th, 2025
Open on BBC

Authorities have revised the timeline of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths after uncovering new evidence. Initially believed to have died on separate dates in February, new cell phone data shows Arakawa contacted a health clinic on 12 February, contradicting earlier reports. The couple was found dead on 26 February in their New Mexico home. Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus, while Gene Hackman succumbed to severe heart disease, with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor. Experts suggest Hackman may not have realized his wife's passing due to his Alzheimer's, leading to his own death days later.

The investigation into the couple's deaths is ongoing, with legal proceedings initiated to prevent the release of body camera footage from their home. A temporary restraining order has been placed, with a hearing scheduled for March 31. The case highlights the complexities of the couple's health issues and their tragic end, raising questions about awareness and response in the context of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The story underscores the importance of understanding health dynamics and legal sensitivities in high-profile cases.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and largely accurate account of the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, supported by credible sources and clear reporting. It effectively balances factual information with sensitivity to the subjects involved, maintaining neutrality and clarity throughout. While the story is timely and engaging due to its connection to a well-known public figure, some speculative elements and the complexity of medical and legal details require careful consideration. The article's potential impact lies in raising awareness about health and legal issues, though its ability to provoke significant controversy or drive policy change is limited. Overall, the story is well-crafted and informative, offering readers valuable insights into a tragic and unusual case.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story appears to be largely accurate, with several specific claims supported by factual details. For instance, the article correctly reports that Betsy Arakawa made calls to a health clinic on February 12, contradicting initial assumptions about her death date. This is corroborated by the sheriff's office's receipt of cell phone data. Additionally, the reported causes of death for both Arakawa (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome) and Hackman (severe heart disease with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor) align with official statements. However, some speculative elements, such as Hackman's awareness of his wife's death due to Alzheimer's, are less verifiable and rely on expert opinion rather than direct evidence. Overall, the story maintains a high level of factual accuracy, but certain speculative aspects could benefit from further verification.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the events surrounding the deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. It includes perspectives from law enforcement, medical professionals, and legal representatives, offering a comprehensive overview of the situation. However, the story could benefit from more input from family members or representatives to provide additional context or counterpoints to the official narrative. The focus on factual reporting does help in maintaining neutrality, but the lack of diverse personal perspectives limits the depth of the narrative slightly.

8
Clarity

The story is well-structured and clearly written, allowing readers to follow the timeline and understand the key developments in the case. The use of direct quotes from involved parties adds to the clarity, providing firsthand insights into the investigation. The article maintains a neutral tone, avoiding sensationalism despite the potentially dramatic subject matter. However, some complex medical and legal details might benefit from further simplification or explanation to ensure full comprehension by a general audience.

8
Source quality

The story relies on credible sources, including the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, medical examiners, and Dr. Josiah Child from Cloudberry Health. These sources are authoritative and relevant to the details being reported, lending credibility to the story. The inclusion of statements from these sources enhances the reliability of the article. However, the absence of direct quotes or statements from family members or estate representatives slightly limits the breadth of source diversity, though it does not significantly impact the overall credibility.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its reporting, clearly attributing information to specific sources such as the sheriff's office and medical professionals. It explains the basis for the updated timeline and the causes of death, providing context for the developments in the story. However, the article could improve transparency by detailing the methods used to obtain certain information, such as the cell phone data analysis. Additionally, disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, especially concerning the legal actions taken by the estate, would enhance the transparency further.

Sources

  1. https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/update-timeline-death-gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa/285-fcd909d6-6273-4def-919d-313679cc267a
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/US/tragic-deaths-gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-timeline/story?id=119873270
  3. https://people.com/gene-hackman-wife-phone-call-doctor-timeline-of-deaths-11698212
  4. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/gene-hackman-wife-betsy-arakawa-death-phone-call-timeline-b2716922.html
  5. https://6abc.com/post/new-details-gene-hackmans-death-could-impact-estate/16038633/