Suspicious death of Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog in New Mexico - February 2025

A maintenance worker knocked I believe, got concerned when no one answered. Called the security office for the property/gated area and they came and saw her at least through a window, sounds like he was found after.
 
Carbon monoxide is out, sounds pretty definite. IT would have shown in their bodies. So HOW the heck did the dog die?

So let's say his death was due to a cardiac event... That part makes sense.

I actually many years ago had a boss whose wife had a pacemaker. He went home as he always did from the office one day, I was at work, we all were, got home and she was dead on the floor. Not that old, maybe 60? He was in total shock and devastation. I had forgotten about that.

These days the pacemakers are probably way more high tech too and probably more advanced.
 
LE dind't say so but daily Mail says there was thyroid medication, Tylenol and Diltiazem. Someone in LE must have leaked that to DM no? However, that doesn't mean those were the only meds in the home, hard to say. I haven't seen the DM article but heard of it. LE won't say whose medication anything was due to HIPPA.
 
GrandmaBear said:
Carbon monoxide is out, sounds pretty definite. IT would have shown in their bodies. So HOW the heck did the dog die?

So let's say his death was due to a cardiac event... That part makes sense.

I actually many years ago had a boss whose wife had a pacemaker. He went home as he always did from the office one day, I was at work, we all were, got home and she was dead on the floor. Not that old, maybe 60? He was in total shock and devastation. I had forgotten about that.

These days the pacemakers are probably way more high tech too and probably more advanced.
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From what I know of pacers they mainly pace you out of bradycardia (slow heartrate). He would have needed an internal defibrillator for anything past that. You can get a combo pacer/ICD though.
 
The dog probably died of lack of food and water if it was shut in a crate or a closet. It sounds to me that she must have had a collapse or heart attack and he died from a fall and not having her there to take care of him.
 
GrandmaBear said:
Carbon monoxide is out, sounds pretty definite. IT would have shown in their bodies. So HOW the heck did the dog die?

So let's say his death was due to a cardiac event... That part makes sense.

I actually many years ago had a boss whose wife had a pacemaker. He went home as he always did from the office one day, I was at work, we all were, got home and she was dead on the floor. Not that old, maybe 60? He was in total shock and devastation. I had forgotten about that.

These days the pacemakers are probably way more high tech too and probably more advanced.
Click to expand...

I know someone who has a pacemaker and it has saved his life. But it can’t go on for long, EMT has to come and do their magic. I wonder if the pacemaker went off after he had died of a stroke?
 
RoundPeg said:
From what I know of pacers they mainly pace you out of bradycardia (slow heartrate). He would have needed an internal defibrillator for anything past that. You can get a combo pacer/ICD though.
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I know little of them these days, and actually knew little of them back when either, I just know there are such things as pacemakers. I just know they are to pace your heart and I guess the defib would be for "jumping" it and I don't know that I even knew they had such as those.

Pretty sure they said pacer, last even 02/17. So that means a notable or cardiac event I am guessing? And that would show too whether he died or the rhythm was corrected? I guess what I am asking is if this would seem to indicate it is likely he died on the 17th from a cardiac event?
 
GrandmaBear said:
I know little of them these days, and actually knew little of them back when either, I just know there are such things as pacemakers. I just know they are to pace your heart and I guess the defib would be for "jumping" it and I don't know that I even knew they had such as those.

Pretty sure they said pacer, last even 02/17. So that means a notable or cardiac event I am guessing? And that would show too whether he died or the rhythm was corrected? I guess what I am asking is if this would seem to indicate it is likely he died on the 17th from a cardiac event?
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I'm really not sure. The condition of their bodies seem to indicate the 17th as a likely date of death. They also said pacer and who knows if that was the dual device?

I had a way out there thought. If he did have a dual device and it went off and she tried to grab him a time or two in panic, it would have shocked her, too. Rule one of an ICD: don't touch a person when their device has went active. Just my ramblings.
 
Tresir said:
The dog probably died of lack of food and water if it was shut in a crate or a closet. It sounds to me that she must have had a collapse or heart attack and he died from a fall and not having her there to take care of him.
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I think it is likely the dog was shut in and couldn't get out and was probably frantic as well until dying. I hate thinking of it.

It would SEEM he died of cardiac event but I'm not sure on her, or that they were even the same day. The dog I'm not sure of either, actually we can't be sure of anything. Although I believe he'd have been in bad shape after so long, not sure he'd be dead. BUT that's also IF that's what he died from, lack of food and water. I can see someone taking their dog with them... And in fact just heard a profiler, John Kelly, saying that's far from unheard of.

She is definitely a possible suicide imo. I mean there could be coincidences but I don't think I buy into they both had falls or cardiac events in the same time frame.

I don't want to accuse either of them of anything as there's absolutely no reason or fact to do so. However, I would assume she was in charge of his care, I mean he was 95 and she's in her 60s and accounts are that she made him follow a fairly strict and healthy diet and so I don't think that's a leap at all. My mom was younger than my dad and she saw to almost everything when he was in her 80s and she younger, and his health was iffier than hers.

So on that note could she have missed a med he needed and felt guilty? Or she found him dead and then she committed suicide and took the dog with her?

Likewise could he have found her dead? And he was going outside or some such for help? One would think you'd call but hard to say if a closet neighbor or someone he'd turn to, I mean they were "private" people. Maybe he wouldn't rush to have such known. And then he is old enough and has heart problems he could have had a cardiac event after finding her...

I also again am not accusing and there's absolutely NO reason to but I don't think it can be ignored or not looked at that he was worth 80 mill. BOTH of them are dead. That's a major estate. She is a second wife but they have been married a LONG time and so it's very likely if she is not the sole beneficiary, pretty sure more likely both her and his adult family are provided for. Two gone though would put it all to the other heirs OR if it all went to her, it likely would have been done that way if she was passed.

Again, there's NO reason to think this so I want to make it clear I don't think that nor am I accusing anyone as I know nothing about the family at all but you know, even a spouse married in or an adult grandchild who knows...

I just don't think his net worth should be ignored and all bases covered.

Now finally what other than carbon monoxide might explain this? Here is one we haven't covered I don't think and that's poison... Just as an example if someone put something in food in the frig... Let's just say in water. Then the dog's bowl was filled with that water. Then she drank some from the same source later. Then he did an hour later... All would die but die at varying times perhaps but close to the same time...

Finally the dog. Why was this dog dead and not the other two. Was this dog kept in the house or in the bedroom or treated differently, more of a house dog perhaps? Or two were his and one hers again? I'm just saying this dog may have had a treat from the frig as it's more indoor pet perhaps than the other two or some such...

She eats something and gives the dog a bit of it... Then he does. Could even be dinner.

Honestly I think they definitely need to look for all poisons in the tox. It would explain things well just as carbon monoxide would have...And for a perp, so ideal in the sense they both die but in different areas making it hard to figure out... Perp may not have even planned on the dog, food was simply shared with the dog, or water filled from the same source or some such...
 
Tresir said:
www.nhs.uk

About diltiazem

NHS medicines information on diltiazem – what it's used for and key facts.
www.nhs.uk www.nhs.uk

This was one of the pills found scattered. I wonder if he collapsed then she ran to get pills and fell tipping the heater over in the process.
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You know, speaking from experience and many more than a few falls in the last recent time period, and all out hard
and unprotected falls, and being in her age range, you generally don't die from a fall. I'm not saying of course it's impossible but it's not all that common. I'd dare say I'm in worse shape generally than she likely was as to getting myself back up and more. She had him on a healthy diet and I don't doubt she was the same.

I don't think I heard this was one of the pills scattered either. Curious where that came from? IN the presser, the sheriff didn't even name pills, Daily Mail did from what I understand although I've not seen that article.

I think two falls and both dead and both falls killing are unlikely. Jmo. I doubt she was overdosing on his standard prescribed meds either. Perhaps something else would be possible though. And she stood there and waited for such to kick in? I don't know... Or laid down there and waited, pulling a space heater with?

Carbon monoxide would have explained two people dead on the floor in varying areas and a dog but not much else does imo. MAYBE if one was a natural thing and the other not. OR something like poison

If not poison, I'm thinking one death was natural and the other was perhaps suicide.

At this point though, just about anything is still a possibility. Except for carbon monoxide, it seems to have been pretty definitely ruled out.

IF there was some perp, I doubt he counted on the dog dying and that may even be something not wanted as it really makes this all pretty questionable. Now if we knew if the dog starved or it was lack of water, we'd be able to rule in or out, but we haven't been told that, or even if he could get out or not... LE knows these things.

He was a great actor and look at this long term marriage too and left Hollywood. I don't want to disrespect him or the family in any way at this point but I do want to discuss what is possible here until we know otherwise and right now this is possibly a whodunit it and if no who involved then it is a what happened that can explain all this.

It is amazing to me they didn't have security cams. Supposedly they did not, inside nor out.

And let's not forget at least one open door ajar, LE said last night several entries were unlocked, front door unlocked but closed and it sounded like back door ajar. IF he has it right, there certainly have been varying accounts.
 
GrandmaBear said:
LE dind't say so but daily Mail says there was thyroid medication, Tylenol and Diltiazem. Someone in LE must have leaked that to DM no? However, that doesn't mean those were the only meds in the home, hard to say. I haven't seen the DM article but heard of it. LE won't say whose medication anything was due to HIPPA.
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GrandmaBear said:
You know, speaking from experience and many more than a few falls in the last recent time period, and all out hard
and unprotected falls, and being in her age range, you generally don't die from a fall. I'm not saying of course it's impossible but it's not all that common. I'd dare say I'm in worse shape generally than she likely was as to getting myself back up and more. She had him on a healthy diet and I don't doubt she was the same.

I don't think I heard this was one of the pills scattered either. Curious where that came from? IN the presser, the sheriff didn't even name pills, Daily Mail did from what I understand although I've not seen that article.

I think two falls and both dead and both falls killing are unlikely. Jmo. I doubt she was overdosing on his standard prescribed meds either. Perhaps something else would be possible though. And she stood there and waited for such to kick in? I don't know... Or laid down there and waited, pulling a space heater with?

Carbon monoxide would have explained two people dead on the floor in varying areas and a dog but not much else does imo. MAYBE if one was a natural thing and the other not. OR something like poison

If not poison, I'm thinking one death was natural and the other was perhaps suicide.

At this point though, just about anything is still a possibility. Except for carbon monoxide, it seems to have been pretty definitely ruled out.

IF there was some perp, I doubt he counted on the dog dying and that may even be something not wanted as it really makes this all pretty questionable. Now if we knew if the dog starved or it was lack of water, we'd be able to rule in or out, but we haven't been told that, or even if he could get out or not... LE knows these things.

He was a great actor and look at this long term marriage too and left Hollywood. I don't want to disrespect him or the family in any way at this point but I do want to discuss what is possible here until we know otherwise and right now this is possibly a whodunit it and if no who involved then it is a what happened that can explain all this.

It is amazing to me they didn't have security cams. Supposedly they did not, inside nor out.

And let's not forget at least one open door ajar, LE said last night several entries were unlocked, front door unlocked but closed and it sounded like back door ajar. IF he has it right, there certainly have been varying accounts.
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You posted about this pill Diltiazem in your first post above referencing the DM. So i found the NHS data sheet and posted the data.

You also mentioned poisoning. Made me think of the recent Christmas cake poisoning incident.
 
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Tresir said:
You posted about this pill Diltiazem in your first post above referencing the DM. So i found the NHS data sheet and posted the data.

You also mentioned poisoning. Made me think of the recent Christmas cake poisoning incident.
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I looked up that pill when I heard of it. I was watching a YT video who was referencing the DM article I think.

Not sure I know of the Christmas cake thing??

Poisoning I hadn't even seen mentioned but it crossed my mind today out of the blue. It even could make sense with the dog. I thought of some old cases that I can't remember all of the details of. I recall one where I think a neighbor poisoned bottles of coke of their neighbors. Another crossed my mind where it was food served at a church, potluck or after service or some such...

Once I thought of food being poisoned, well even the dog might make sense and a perp wouldn't even have to be present at the time of ingestion or time of death...

Certainly is a thought I think... And makes as much sense as all the possible scenarios we are all considering, and all are pretty much open no doubt, so far.
 
I still think he passed away and she got upset and took pills. We won’t know until the toxicology report and that will take a while.

Interestingly, my mom came to the same conclusion without knowing my theory.
 
Kimster said:
I still think he passed away and she got upset and took pills. We won’t know until the toxicology report and that will take a while.

Interestingly, my mom came to the same conclusion without knowing my theory.
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It's certainly a possibility. Considering they were a bit reclusive, they had only each other most of the time and so may have been more than a little dependent on the other or their company. To face being alone might have been huge to her.

I however lean towards that she died before him, maybe not even on the same day. I have a few reasons that lean me that way... Nothing set in stone but I noted it was said her body was showing signs of decomp. That was never said about his. Hers also showed signs of mummification, not said about his. We know or it appears his death was natural OR something triggered a heart event. OD can do that, poison probably could, stress, maybe not taking a required med... Or it could have been entirely natural and just a heart attack or some such.

Anyhow we know his date of death and that there was a heart event. It's her cause and the dog's we don't know.

While being in the bathroom with pills spilled sure makes one think of an OD, one doesn't generally OD and the next minute fall or die. It takes some time doesn't it? The pills so far named would not be the kind either one would OD on imo. I doubt all that was in their home has been named though and that info was obtained who knows how by DM.

Did she take them and lie down and wait? And pull the space heater over?

I'm not so sure on her.

It definitely could though be that though. He died and she killed self.

The thing with the doors is still in question too. Perhaps he left the back door open right as he had an attack and maybe they leave all the others unlocked but a bit hard to believe. All the outbuildings were locked.

My daughter and I had a pretty good discussion too on this this morning. She doesn't always know the cases I might be following but of course this one, unlike some, has made a big splash all over and in the news.

It probably is the simplest explanation and the dog died from thirst, etc. and perhaps if blocked from exit was exacerbating it desperate to get out after a time. Hate thinking about it.

I'm not convinced yet though.

And while it wouldn't have to be the case, I'd almost think she'd have wanted to die next to him, holding him, etc. which I think would more often maybe be the case in such a scenario. And I can't quite make the space heater work, and the doors are not answered either.

Definitely is a puzzle at this point.

I think tox will be very important though and she may have OD'd. I though too want to know time of death of each before I really commit to an opinion. Yours is as likely or more so than most for sure. Nothing more "out there" than a grieving wife taking herself out because she didn't want to live without him. Totally possible. I just get a feeling they dind't die at the same time from various things and when asked if they both died at the same or different times or days, the sheriff said they want to know the same thing. I suspect they have a pretty good idea but we won't hear it until more official I suppose. Things like contents in their stomachs may shed some light, if any, state of decomp, etc.
 
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