Netizens are actively discussing the latest findings from the gas company involved in investigating possible gas leaks and carbon monoxide levels at Gene Hackman’s home.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Santa Fe Fire Department have released updated details regarding their ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their family dog. The recent update, posted on March 5, 2025, has prompted numerous reactions online.

According to the latest findings, the New Mexico Gas Company completed its inspection at the Hackman-Arakawa residence, located at 1425 Old Sunset Trail, and formally shared its conclusions with investigators on March 3, 2025. The inspection, conducted in late February, included a comprehensive check for gas leaks and carbon monoxide levels throughout the home.

Inspectors did not detect any life-threatening hazards but did issue five red tags for compliance violations. Among these, one identified a minor gas leak at a stove burner, measuring 0.33 percent gas in the air. Industry experts have deemed this level non-lethal. The remaining compliance issues were related to the property’s water heater and gas log lighters in the fireplaces.

Despite these findings, authorities clarified that none of the identified issues are believed to have directly contributed to the deaths of Hackman, Arakawa, or their dog. However, the results have been forwarded to the Office of the Medical Investigator for further review as part of the broader cause-of-death analysis.

Following the official update, online forums were flooded with discussions and reactions. Many expressed skepticism, arguing that even minor traces of gas should not be dismissed when investigating such an unexpected tragedy. One commenter stated, “A tiny leak is enough to kill,” while another wrote, “A minuscule leak is still a leak discharging poisonous deadly gas. And continuously will fill the entire house.”

Others found the entire situation unsettling, with some questioning how the couple and their dog could have died without a clear cause. “I find this so crazy. Had to be gas or carbon monoxide or something. The dog dead as well. Just seems so bizarre,” one netizen wrote. Another added, “A leak is a leak.”

Confusion also arose from earlier reports, as some pointed out that officials initially stated there was no gas leak detected at all. This contradiction has fueled further speculation about what might have caused the tragic deaths.

Amid the ongoing investigation, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean, has spoken about the family’s uncertainty regarding the cause of death. In an interview with TMZ in February, she shared that while the family does not have definitive answers, they suspect toxic fumes may have played a role. Law enforcement officials, however, have stated that there is no evidence of foul play. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza emphasized that investigators have not ruled anything out and are keeping all possibilities open as they continue to examine the case.

The mystery deepens as questions remain about whether the residence, built in 2000, had any prior issues with gas leaks or service calls before the tragedy. When deputies arrived at the home to conduct a welfare check on February 26, they were joined by fire department personnel and representatives from the gas company as a precautionary measure. This step ensured the safety of first responders in case toxic fumes were present.

Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths were initially suspected to be linked to carbon monoxide poisoning, given the circumstances of their passing. However, authorities later ruled out carbon monoxide as a factor after toxicology reports showed no traces of the compound in their systems. With that possibility eliminated, investigators are now focused on other potential explanations.

One major detail that stands out in the investigation is that Hackman’s pacemaker reportedly stopped functioning on February 17, leading investigators to suggest he may have been deceased for nine days before being discovered. Sheriff Mendoza stated, “I think that is a very good assumption that that was his last day of life.”

The couple was found in different parts of the house, with Arakawa’s body located in the bathroom near a space heater and an open bottle of pills beside her. Hackman was found elsewhere, exhibiting similar signs of having been deceased for some time.

A leading forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden, has weighed in on the case, offering potential explanations. Speaking on Fox Report, he suggested that Hackman’s death could have resulted from cardiac arrest, possibly recorded by his pacemaker. “That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate,” he explained. He noted that pacemakers track pulse rates and can provide critical information about a person’s final moments.

Dr. Baden also theorized that Arakawa may have been trying to assist her husband when she suffered a fatal accident. “She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside,” he said. He further suggested that stress or an undiagnosed heart condition could have contributed to her sudden death.

Another critical piece of the puzzle is the presence of the couple’s German Shepherd, which was found deceased in a closet inside the bathroom, about 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa. Initially, investigators suspected the dog may have died from toxic exposure, but later reports indicated that it had likely succumbed to dehydration after being confined for several days. Two other dogs were found alive inside the home.

Dr. Baden pointed out that the couple’s secluded lifestyle may have contributed to the delayed discovery of their deaths. “That may have been the reason that 911 wasn’t called, for example, while his wife was trying to get him some medication and fell,” he suggested.

Gene Hackman’s passing marks the end of an era for Hollywood. The two-time Academy Award winner, best known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” left a lasting impact on the film industry. Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues, with many struggling to process the shocking loss.

Social media has been flooded with condolences, memories, and lingering questions about the nature of the couple’s deaths. While the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to uncovering the full truth behind this tragedy.

“Heartbreaking,” one person wrote online, capturing the sentiment of many. Another reflected on Hackman’s legacy, saying, “So sad! Glad he had a long, productive life, though.” Others, however, remain unsettled by the unanswered questions. “Lots of unanswered questions,” one commenter noted, echoing the very thoughts investigators are still working to resolve.