Are the Pills Found Next to Gene Hackman’s Wife Related to Mummification? An Expert Weighs In (Exclusive)

Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, reportedly had a bottle of pills next to her when the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home — but did the medication contribute to her body’s state of mummification?

A forensic pathologist, who is not involved in the case, exclusively told Us Weekly on Thursday, February 27, that the scenario is highly unlikely. The expert broke down what entails in the mummification process.

“Mummification can happen anywhere from days to weeks [after death], given the right conditions, all the way through months,” the doctor said. “There’s certain circumstances that favor a body going into a mummification type stage as opposed to decomposition.”

When the term “mummification” is brought up, the first thought for most individuals is the practice done by the Ancient Egyptians. While the Egyptians’ process involved embalming and drying the bodies, the natural process of mummification differs greatly.

The medical professional explained that mummification “favors dry conditions” like “ out in the desert somewhere” and can even “happen indoors as well.” (New Mexico has a dry climate.)

Mummification can also occur depending on the dryness of the air and the clothes the individual is wearing. As for the difference between decomposition and mummification, that comes down to how much liquid is involved.

“A mummified body might still have an oily texture to it, but it’s gonna be very dry,” the expert said. “The skin’s gonna be, like, a dry leather, almost.”

Us confirmed on Thursday, February 27, that Hackman and Arakawa and one of their family dogs were discovered dead one day earlier. The actor was 95 while the classical musician was 64.

According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Arakawa’s body was in a “state of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet.” The report also stated that a “pill bottle” was “opened” and the undisclosed medication was “scattered next to” Arakawa.

An official cause of death has not yet been ruled and the pair’s deaths are still being investigated.

“Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time, however, [the] exact cause of death has not been determined,” the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department noted in a statement to Us. “This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.”

Hackman’s daughters — whom he shared with ex-wife Faye Maltese — shared to TMZ that they believed their father and stepmother’s passing was due to carbon monoxide poisoning. However, the fire department did not find evidence of a carbon monoxide leak at Hackman and Arakawa’s property.

With reporting by Travis Cronin