New Mexico
Investigation advances into Gene Hackman's mysterious death, with update by New Mexico authorities
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities are set to reveal more information about an investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa, whose partially mummified bodies were discovered last month at their home in New Mexico.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office has said it does not suspect foul play, and tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza and state fire, health and forensics officials scheduled an afternoon news conference Friday to provide updates on the case.
Mendoza has said the couple may have died up to two weeks before they were discovered on Feb. 26. Hackman’s pacemaker last showed activity Feb. 17, nine days before maintenance and security workers showed up at the home and alerted police.
Arakawa was found with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the bathroom counter, while Hackman was found in the home’s entryway.
One of the couple’s three dogs also was found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, while two other dogs survived. Authorities initially misidentified the breed of the dead animal.
Authorities retrieved personal items from the home including a monthly planner and two cellphones that will be analyzed. Medical investigators have been working to establish the cause of their deaths, but toxicology reports often take weeks to complete.
When they were found, the bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe’s especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).
Hackman, a Hollywood icon, won two Oscars during a storied career in films including “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers” and “Superman” from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.
Arakawa, born in Hawaii, studied as a concert pianist, attended the University of Southern California and met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym.
The couple’s stucco, Pueblo-revival style home sits on a hill in a gated community at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. Santa Fe is known as a refuge for celebrities, artists and authors.
Hackman dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood’s social circuit. He served for several years on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, and he and his wife were investors in local businesses.
The UNLV Rebels kick off Week 10 tomorrow at home in Allegiant Stadium against the New Mexico Lobos. We covered a lot of predictions this week, but now it’s time for our official UNLV Rebels On SI Week 10 predictions. This is a showdown between two Mountain West teams having great seasons in what should be a great game.
The Rebels are coming off another bye week after losing for the first time this season against the Boise State Broncos. Heading into Week 10, they are sitting at 6 – 1 for the season and 2 – 1 in the Mountain West. This will be a get-right game for UNLV, but New Mexico is also a good measuring stick. After getting blown out by the Broncos, the Rebels may need to prove to themselves that they can compete with the top teams in the conference.
The Lobos are in the midst of a two-game winning streak. Their record now sits at 5 – 3. They are right behind UNLV in the Mountain West standings at 2 – 2. New Mexico hasn’t done anything spectacular, but they have been well-balanced, consistent, and disciplined on both sides of the ball. A team like this is a good test for the Rebels.
The offense has been absolutely dynamic. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has been outstanding not only with his arm but also on the ground with his legs. This season, he has thrown for 1,618 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 410 yards and four more TDs. Heading into Week 10, he’s the favorite to be named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year this season.
Jai’Den Thomas leads the way on the ground for the Rebs. He’s coming off a down game in which he rushed for just 38 yards on 3.5 yards per carry. However, he leads the team with 615 yards and seven TDs on 7.4 yards per carry this season. Jet has also caught 18 passes for 104 yards and a TD in the passing attack. The star runner will look to have a bounce-back game this week.
The Lobos are solid on both sides of the ball. While they aren’t amazing on one side of the ball like the Rebels on offense, they also haven’t shown a major deficiency on another side of the ball like the Rebels on defense. Their offense is led by quarterback Jack Layne, running back Damon Bankston, and tight end Dorian Williams. This trio will be a good test for the Rebels’ defense, which has been working to get better during their bye week.
UNLV Rebels Win 38 – 28
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Potential redevelopment of the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque is moving fast, and KRQE News 13 is getting our first look at some of the big ideas being offered up to redesign one of the main corners of the property. The 49-acre corner is located on San Pedro and Central. Planners are emphasizing they’re only in the idea phase, but so far, that includes a lot of new potential housing and a possible, massive new park.
“Today, we’re looking at things like traffic calming on San Pedro, pedestrian safety on Central, which is one of the most dangerous roadways in the United States of America. Ten acres of green space that can open up and be available to the public,” said Martin Chavez, New Mexico State Fairgrounds Initiative.
Planners emphasize their concepts are not final, but they include ideas of adding a bunch a different types of housing, better bus stops, space for food trucks, and the flea market in what would be a big, open park and promenade. An initial estimate outlines a $64 million cost.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the neighborhood is overdue for an update. “It just never got what it deserves to be a meaningful community that reflects the people who live there who have always deserved this level of prioritization and support,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-New Mexico).
Redevelopment could also include buying up neighboring land, like the closed CVS near Louisiana Blvd. and Central Ave. “So, it’s a balance of as things happen inside the fairgrounds, we also want to see good things happening outside the fairgrounds, and it’s a good first step,” said Roger Valdez, Director, the Center for Housing Economics.
Reacting to the ideas, Albuquerque City Councilor Nicole Rogers said it’s a great start, going in the right direction for her district. “This is stuff that we can do right away, regardless of what happens with the fair, if it stays or goes. Community wants green space, the community wants better pedestrian safety around the fair, and we need to lower the heat index,” said Nichole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor for District 6.
The Tax District Board overseeing the plan effort passed a resolution on Thursday to move the ideas forward to the next design stage. It will have to go to the State Board of Finance for approval next. The Fairgrounds District will host a second public meeting to get community input on the potential drafts on November 18.
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