An inspection at Gene Hackman’s Santa Fe home by a local gas company detected a “minuscule” leak from one of the stove burners, but officials do not believe it played a role in the deaths of the Oscar-winning actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
The couple were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the early hours of February 27 after a maintenance worker called emergency services.
Following the discovery of their bodies last week, initial speculation suggested a gas leak could have been the cause.
Hackman's daughter Elizabeth Jean had previously spoken of her fears that the couple could have died because of “toxic fumes.”
However, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department reported that the New Mexico Gas Company conducted a thorough investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide but found no significant issues.
The gas company reported issuing five “red tags.”
“One red tag was for a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air – not a lethal amount) at one of the stove burners,” they shared in the press release.
“The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations — not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide — involving a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces."
Last week authorities said they believed the couple died around nine days before their bodies were discovered, investigators say.
The bodies of Ms Arakawa, 63, and one of the pair’s German Shepherds were discovered in the bathroom of the property in Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park, while Mr Hackman, 95, was found in another room lying on the floor.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the couple appeared to have been "dead for quite a while" but preliminary tests showed “no sign of external trauma”.
Arakawa’s body showed signs of “decomposition" and "mummification" in the hands and feet, while Hackman's remains "showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent” with those of his wife.
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference on Friday afternoon. Sheriff Mendoza revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker had stopped 10 days before his body was found, according to an investigation led by New Mexico's chief medical investigator Dr Heather Jarrell.
Sherriff Mendoza said: "An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17, 2025, I was advised that a more thorough investigation will be completed."
Asked whether this meant Hackman died on that day, he said: "According to the pathologist I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life."
He added both Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide.
The Sherriff's office had previously issued a statement that the couple's bodies were transported to the medical investigator's office in the early hours of Thursday, February 27.
An autopsy was performed and "initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual". Although police initially said foul play was not suspected, a later search warrant affidavit ruled the deaths were "suspicious" enough for further investigation.
