New evidence challenges the official timeline of the deaths of renowned actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in Santa Fe.
A local doctor recently claimed that Arakawa contacted him a day after her reported death, adding complexity to the already mysterious case, New York Post reported.
Officials declared Arakawa dead on February 11 due to complications from Hantavirus. However, Dr. Josiah Child, who runs Cloudberry Health in Santa Fe, insists that she called him on February 12, suggesting she was still alive after the medical examiner’s recorded date of death.
Dr. Child recounted that Arakawa had initially contacted him a few weeks before her death to discuss an echocardiogram for her husband. "She’d called me a couple of weeks before her death to ask about getting an echocardiogram [heart scan] for her husband," Dr. Child explained. This was part of her usual proactive approach towards her husband’s health, which was deteriorating due to Alzheimer's and cardiovascular issues.
On the morning of February 12, Arakawa allegedly spoke to one of Child’s colleagues at Cloudberry Health, scheduling an appointment for that afternoon. Dr. Child said, "She called back on the morning of February 12 and spoke to one of our doctors who told her to come in that afternoon," noting that she unexpectedly missed the appointment.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, the medical examiner, determined that hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused Arakawa’s death and confirmed that she was last alive on February 11. In contrast, she attributed Hackman’s death to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, worsened by Alzheimer’s disease. His pacemaker recorded abnormal rhythms one week after Arakawa’s confirmed date of death.
Dr. Child emphasized that the appointment Arakawa scheduled was not due to respiratory concerns, which are typical of hantavirus infections. "We made her an appointment but she never showed up. She did not show any symptoms of respiratory distress," he reaffirmed. Her absence and the subsequent lack of communication raised immediate concerns at Cloudberry Health.
Fabricated records and phone logs from the clinic confirm Dr. Child’s claims about the February 12 call. Arakawa had been active earlier on February 11 as well, having engaged in email exchanges and visited several local stores before returning home around 5:15 p.m., as shown by security footage.
The complexities of the case are augmented by the condition within the Hackman household during the investigation. It was discovered one of their dogs, which was recuperating in a crate following surgery, unfortunately, passed away from starvation and dehydration. This was around the time Hackman was believed to have died, although exact timelines are still under scrutiny.
The revelations about the potential inaccuracies in the official death records of Arakawa have stirred significant attention. The community and fans worldwide are calling for a thorough reevaluation of the events leading up to the deaths of both Arakawa and Hackman. Dr. Child's testimony is essential, as it contradicts critical parts of the initial findings and suggests possible oversight or error in the handling of the medical records.
Authorities have not responded to these new developments, but Dr. Child’s findings have intensified public pressure for a detailed case review. The growing number of unanswered questions has led investigators to pursue further inquiries, casting doubt on the accuracy of the initial autopsy reports and the true timeline of the couple’s tragic deaths.
