A pathologist believes that either Gene Hackman or Betsy Arakawa died from a broken heart.
Chief Medical Examiner James Gill, who is not involved in the investigation looking into the couple’s death, theorized about what could have led to the pair’s tragic passing.
Gill told People on Thursday that two natural deaths around the same time have “been known to happen” due to “a broken heart-type thing.”
“Suddenly finding your loved one dead on the floor, that can increase your adrenaline and that stimulates your heart to beat faster, and that can put your heart into an irregular rhythm,” Gill, who works for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, explained.
The medical professional noted that people can “get every despondent” and may even make rash decisions regarding their own safety after such a traumatic incident.
However, he noted that the toxicology workup “will be helpful in excluding causes such as an intoxication or injuries.”
“I think the autopsy and the toxicology testing is what’s needed to be seen in order to make that final determination,” he added. “Otherwise, it’s kind of speculation at this point.”
According to Jefferson Health, “Broken heart syndrome, also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo syndrome, typically occurs after a physically or emotionally traumatic event” — including the loss of a loved one.
In these instances, “adrenaline and other stress hormones, such as epinephrine,” flood the system and can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to “symptoms that mimic a heart attack.”
Gill theorized that the couple, who wed in 1991, died from natural causes and that Hackman, 95, “may have collapsed.”
“He’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual,” he told the outlet. “But the unusual part is that why then did she also collapse?”
“Assuming she would’ve found him. Then you start wondering about: There is this thing where the stress of seeing someone die that could have triggered a natural death in her.”
However, the possibility that it’s the other way around is “just as likely,” Gill noted.
Gill speculated that Arakawa, 65, could have died first and the legendary actor “found her and was going out to get help or get his phone, and he then collapsed from the stress of that.”
“He’s older, he’s got known heart disease,” he noted. “But the autopsy would certainly show if she had heart disease or cancer or what have you.”
Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26 but are believed to have died days, if not weeks, earlier.
Although a “minuscule” gas leak was found at one of the stove burners, the couple showed no signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The “French Connection” actor and Arakawa did not show any external trauma and foul play is not suspected. However, their deaths were deemed “suspicious” enough to warrant an investigation.
Hackman’s body was found near the kitchen, with his glasses thrown from his body, leading authorities to believe he may have fallen.
The classical pianist, for her part, was found lying on the bathroom floor with prescription pills scattered about. Police seized three types of medications — including Tylenol, a thyroid medication and Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain — from the home.
Arakawa was in a state of decomposition, with “bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet.”
The couple’s Australian Kelpie mix named Zinna — who was at first identified as a German Shepherd — was also found deceased in her crate.
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