Additional Coverage:
- Forensic expert says if drugs found next to Gene Hackman’s wife is connected to mummification (themirror.com)
Santa Fe, NM – Tragedy struck the quiet city of Santa Fe as beloved actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their home on Thursday, February 27th. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the news, revealing that a maintenance worker discovered the couple and their family dog during a routine check-up of their $3.8 million residence. Authorities later determined that the bodies were in a state of decomposition and mummification.
Betsy Arakawa was found on the bathroom floor near an open bottle of prescription pills. Investigators discovered both Diltiazem, a thyroid medication, and Tylenol within the residence. The presence of these medications prompted questions about their potential role in the mummification process.
A forensic pathologist unconnected to the case, consulted by news outlets, stated that a link between the medications and mummification is “highly unlikely.” The expert explained that mummification can occur within days, weeks, or even months after death, depending on specific environmental conditions.
Dry environments, such as deserts, are particularly conducive to mummification, though the process can also occur indoors. The expert described a mummified body as having an oily yet dry texture, with skin resembling “dry leather.”
Scientific literature indicates that mummification can take several weeks to a year, depending on environmental factors. The process halts decomposition, preserving the body’s flesh and skin. This natural phenomenon was famously employed by ancient Egyptians, who believed the preserved body was essential for the afterlife.