Gene Hackman’s nephew, Tim Hackman, has spoken out against the “negative” theories surrounding the deaths of the legendary actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
The couple’s bodies were discovered last week in their $3.8 million Santa Fe home, along with one of their three dogs, Zinna.
Authorities have deemed their deaths “suspicious,” fueling speculation about possible causes, including "companion suicide" or toxic gas exposure.
However, a recent investigation by the local gas company found “no significant findings” of gas leaks or carbon monoxide in the home.
Hackman, whose father was Richard Hackman and a stuntman for Gene, told Us Weekly: “We're waiting on toxicology. That will tell us everything, It's hard to theorize.
“There are lots of theories out there and I don't want to speculate. It's easy to speculate negative theories.”
“The family wants to keep it positive for now and when we know the truth we will deal with it,” he added.
Hackman also told the outlet that the details surrounding the discovery of the 95-year-old actor, his wife, 65, and their dog Zinna have raised many unanswered questions.
He shared: “My uncle was 95-years-old at an age where you think about, ‘Okay, it's time.’ But from the circumstances now things have changed a bit. It's a major change.”
His comments come as an inspection at 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.
The couple were found dead at their home in the early hours of February 26 after a maintenance worker called emergency services.
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.
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 last 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.
A prominent pathologist has debunked the possibility of a suicide pact, saying that in "cases like that", the couple are usually found next to each other in bed.
Speaking to People, James Gill, Connecticut’s Chief Medical Examiner, said it is “not likely” the pair took their own lives together, revealing: “I’ve seen cases like that – usually they’re together in bed. The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely.”
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.
