{"id":153014,"date":"2025-02-28T20:09:42","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T20:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/28\/are-gene-hackmans-wifes-pills-related-to-her-mummification\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T20:09:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T20:09:42","slug":"are-gene-hackmans-wifes-pills-related-to-her-mummification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/28\/are-gene-hackmans-wifes-pills-related-to-her-mummification\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Gene Hackman’s Wife\u2019s Pills Related to Her Mummification?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Donaldson Collection\/Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gene Hackman<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s wife, Betsy Arakawa<\/strong>, reportedly had a bottle of pills next to her when the couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home \u2014 but did the medication contribute to her body\u2019s state of mummification?<\/p>\n

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

\u201cMummification can happen anywhere from days to weeks [after death], given the right conditions, all the way through months,\u201d the doctor said. \u201cThere\u2019s certain circumstances that favor a body going into a mummification type stage as opposed to decomposition.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the term \u201cmummification\u201d is brought up, the first thought for most individuals is the practice done by the Ancient Egyptians. While the Egyptians\u2019 process involved embalming and drying the bodies, the natural process of mummification differs greatly.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Gene Hackman\u2019s Wife Reportedly Found in \u2018Mummification\u2019: What It Means<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe circumstances around the death of Betsy Arakawa, the wife of Gene Hackman, could have lent itself to mummification, according to a forensic pathologist. Arakawa was found dead in the couple\u2019s Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday, February 26. Her body was \u201cin a state of decomposition\u201d that included bloating in her face and [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The medical professional explained that mummification \u201cfavors dry conditions\u201d like \u201c out in the desert somewhere\u201d and can even \u201chappen indoors as well.\u201d (New Mexico has a dry climate.)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mummified body might still have an oily texture to it, but it\u2019s gonna be very dry,\u201d the expert said. \u201cThe skin\u2019s gonna be, like, a dry leather, almost.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jeffrey Mayer\/WireImage<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Arakawa\u2019s body was in a \u201cstate of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification<\/a> in her hands and feet.\u201d The report also stated that a \u201cpill bottle\u201d was \u201copened\u201d and the undisclosed medication was \u201cscattered next to\u201d Arakawa.<\/p>\n

An official cause of death<\/a> has not yet been ruled and the pair\u2019s deaths are still being investigated<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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