The deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife of over 30 years, Betsy Arakawa, are “suspicious,” according to investigators, but there were no obvious signs of foul play.
The bodies of the couple — as well as their dog — were discovered in their Hyde Park, N.M., home on Wednesday at approximately 1:45 p.m., the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment. While “foul play is not currently suspected as a factor,” the public information officer said early Thursday morning, a search warrant affidavit from a detective on the case detailed the “suspicious” findings at the scene. At a press conference later on Thursday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that while there are no obvious signs of foul play, they’re not ruling it out, according to KOB4 Eyewitness News Albuquerque.
The warrant, obtained by media outlets including ABC News, stated that the deaths of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 63, were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”
Law enforcement outside the home of Hackman and Arakawa on Thursday. (Roberto Rosales/AP)
The front door of the couple’s home was “unsecured and opened,” according to the warrant. There were two healthy dogs found on the property, one “running loose” outside and another inside by Arakawa’s body, which was located in a bathroom. The deceased dog was in a closet of the bathroom approximately 10 to 15 feet from Arakawa, a classical pianist.
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There was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop near Arakawa, who was found positioned on her side. Near her head, there was also a space heater, which the deputy suspected could have fallen when she did.
The body of Hackman, who starred in The French Connection, Superman and Unforgiven, was located in a separate room of the residence, the mud room, the warrant noted. It appeared to authorities that he fell suddenly. A pair of sunglasses were at his side.
Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, told TMZ that the family suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. However the warrant noted there were “no obvious signs of a gas leak,” and that the front door was open and could have vented out possible fumes.
The warrant said the Santa Fe Fire Department found no signs of a possible carbon monoxide leak nor did the New Mexico Gas Company.
The couple’s home is in a gated community, Santa Fe Summit, in Hyde Park, N.M. (Roberto Rosales/AP)
“As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence,” the gas company said.
A maintenance worker reportedly called authorities after responding to the home and finding the door open, according to the warrant. There was no sign of forced entry nor were their belongings rummaged through. The two maintenance workers authorities spoke with hadn’t heard from Hackman and Arakawa in about two weeks.
The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa, who married in 1991, “showed obvious signs of death” the warrant said. Her body showed signs of decomposition, including mummification of her hands and feet.
Mendoza told the New York Times that there were no signs of trauma to the bodies. There was no note found.
According to a Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department press release, the Office of the Medical Investigator has conducted autopsies. Initial findings determined no external trauma to either individual. The manner and cause of death have not yet been determined, pending toxicology and carbon monoxide tests.
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