Forensic experts say decomposition has made it harder to determine when the actor and his wife died, leaving investigators to rely on circumstantial evidence.

More than ten days after Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home, the cause of their deaths is still unknown. Authorities ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, but decomposition has complicated efforts to determine the timeline of their deaths.

Forensic pathologist Judy Melinek revealed to People that establishing a timeline is crucial in such cases. “When you have bodies that are decomposed or haven’t been seen, and especially with people who haven’t been seen for a while, the first question in terms of trying to figure out what happened is figuring out the time of death,” she explained.

Melinek explained that early postmortem indicators like rigor mortis (stiffening of the body) and algor mortis (body temperature) help narrow the time of death. However, she said that as decomposition progresses, these markers become unreliable, making it “a lot harder to do.”

Meanwhile, James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner in Connecticut, explained that mummification complicates forensic analysis. “You’re not going to be able to tell from the postmortem changes, because once you get to mummification then all bets are off,” he shared.

Gill explained that environmental factors, such as temperature, clothing, and sunlight exposure, can impact the mummification process. He added that heat can speed up the process. “Was that bathroom drier? What if the heater was on? That certainly could explain some advanced mummification, he noted.

The case has sparked discussion among netizens, with many expressing sadness and curiosity. One person wrote, “Such a sad story. Let them rest in peace.”

Some speculated on forensic evidence, “The pacemaker tells the time of death.” Another believed that the case should not be further scrutinized, “Remains a mystery to the public. And maybe it should stay that way.”