Episode Details

Sheriff's deputies are dispatched to a home after workers see bodies while looking through the window, after no one answered the door.   Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy, Erica, 65, and a dog, were found dead. 

Responding officers find the front door in the glass entryway of Hackman ‘s two story,  green colored stucco home  open... ajar just a bit, but there did not appear to be any signs of forced entry. During the search, deputies say all other buildings and the garage connected to the 3.8 million dollar home  appeared to be locked and secured. It did not appear as if the home had been rummaged through or any items taken. In the officer’s words nothing appeared to be "out of place" . 

According to the search warrant affidavit, walking in the front door, officers see a bathroom to the left of the front door. The bathroom door is open. Betsy Arakawa is lying on her right side, dead.  Police say she is wearing dark gray sweatpants and a light colored sweatshirt. Next to the body is a black space heater near her head, but the report doesn’t say if it was on. The officer also see an open orange prescription bottle, with pills scattered on the counter-top. The deputy says there are obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.    

As deputies continue their search, they see feet and legs near the kitchen area. Gene Hackman is found dead,  in the mud-room of the home.  He is wearing gray sweat pants, a blue  long-sleeve t-shirt, brown slippers,  has a walking-cane, and a pair of sunglasses.  Hackman also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with his wife. 

An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual the manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. 

Joining Nancy Grace today:

• Joshua Ritter - Criminal Defense Attorney, Former Prosecutor,  Host of Courtroom Confidential on YouTube; website: joshuaritter.com; Twitter, Instagram & TikTok: @joshuaritteresq, YouTube: CRConfidential
• Dr. Bethany Marshall -  Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker,"  featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock www.drbethanymarshall.com, Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive
• Sheryl McCollum - Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, ColdCaseCrimes.org, Host : Zone 7, Twitter: @ColdCaseTips 
• Dr. William Morrone - Medical Examiner, Toxicologist, Pathologist, Opioid Treatment Expert, Author: “American Narcan: Naloxone & Heroin-Fentanyl Associated Mortality” 
• Jessica Finn - Senior Investigative Reporter at The U.S. Sun, the-sun.com, jessicafinnnyc (Twitter/ IG) @jessicafinn.bsky.social 

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