A shocking revelation surrounding the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa has emerged from a Santa Fe medical professional.

According to the New York Post, Dr. Josiah Child of Cloudberry Health claims Arakawa contacted his clinic on February 12, a day after authorities determined she had died.

The conflicting timeline adds a layer of complexity to the already mysterious circumstances surrounding the couple's deaths. Dr. Child's account directly contradicts the medical examiner's official conclusion about Arakawa's time of death, raising questions about the sequence of events leading to the tragic deaths of the couple and one of their pets.

Santa Fe Doctor Challenges Official Death Timeline

Dr. Child, who operates Cloudberry Health in New Mexico, maintains that Arakawa had been in contact with his clinic regarding medical appointments for both herself and her husband. His staff documented multiple interactions with her, including a call weeks before her death inquiring about an echocardiogram for Hackman.

The doctor provided specific details about their communications:

Mrs. Hackman didn't die on February 11 because she called my clinic on February 12. She'd called me a couple of weeks before her death to ask about getting an echocardiogram [heart scan] for her husband.

The physician explained that while Arakawa wasn't his regular patient, she had received a recommendation from one of his existing clients. These claims present a stark contrast to the official investigation's findings.

Medical Examiner's Official Findings Reveal Cause of Death

Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell's report paints a different picture of events. According to official records, Arakawa's last known activities occurred on February 11, when she exchanged emails and visited several local establishments. Security records from their gated community confirmed her return home at approximately 5:15 p.m. that day.

The medical examiner determined that Arakawa, a former classical pianist, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an uncommon respiratory illness transmitted by rodents. Meanwhile, Hackman's death was attributed to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease listed as a significant contributing factor.

Final Days Detail Tragic Sequence of Events

Medical records indicate that Hackman's pacemaker registered its last activity on February 18, showing an "abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation." Post-mortem examination revealed no food in his stomach, suggesting he had not eaten for some time before his death.

The tragedy extended beyond the couple, as one of their three dogs, which was confined to a crate while recovering from surgery, died from lack of food and water. A state necropsy report confirmed the cause of death as starvation and dehydration.

Looking Back at the Investigation's Key Findings

The investigation into the timeline of events has yielded several crucial pieces of evidence. Surveillance data, email records, and shopping receipts helped authorities piece together Arakawa's final known movements on February 11, including visits to a grocery store, pharmacy, and pet store.

These documented activities formed the basis for the medical examiner's original conclusion about the sequence of deaths. Dr. Jarrell's report specifically noted that circumstances indicated Arakawa likely passed away first, with February 11 being her last confirmed day alive.

Final Review of Tragic Circumstances

The deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa have left investigators grappling with conflicting accounts and mysterious circumstances. Dr. Child's claim of communication with Arakawa after her officially recorded death date has introduced new questions about the timeline of events.

The case has drawn significant attention due to both the couple's prominence and the unusual circumstances surrounding their deaths. As authorities continue to examine the evidence, including Dr. Child's new claims, the investigation remains ongoing to establish a definitive sequence of events leading to these tragic deaths.