Investigation warranted due to suspicious circumstances surrounding Gene Hackman and his wife’s deaths.

An ongoing investigation is looking into the deaths of Gene Hackman, the legendary Oscar-winning actor, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist. Their bodies, along with that of one of their dogs, were found in their New Mexico home, and authorities reported that they were in a state of decomposition. The local sheriff’s department is actively working on the case.

The investigation has included the local gas company, New Mexico Gas Co, which has sparked speculation that carbon monoxide poisoning could be a factor in their deaths. However, the release of a search warrant raised questions about this theory. The warrant mentioned prescription pills found near Arakawa’s body, indicating that there may be other issues at play.

Hackman, who was 95 years old, and Arakawa, 63, were discovered by deputies at their home in Santa Fe on a Wednesday. According to a sheriff’s spokesperson, there is no current suspicion of foul play, although the specific cause of death is still unknown. The spokesperson noted that the precise cause will likely be clarified only after autopsies are completed.

The search warrant provided more details about the conditions in which the couple was found. It suggested that they had been deceased for a while, as Arakawa’s body showed signs of decomposition, including bloating on her face and mummification on her hands and feet. Additionally, investigators found a prescription bottle on a kitchen countertop along with scattered pills.

Arakawa was found lying on the bathroom floor next to a space heater, which deputies speculated might have tipped over and caused her to collapse. On the other hand, Hackman’s body was located in the mudroom, fully dressed in gray sweatpants and a long-sleeve T-shirt, along with a cane. Authorities suggested that he might have fallen unexpectedly.

As part of the initial investigation, deputies did not detect any gas leaks in the home. Despite this, they believed the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths were unusual enough to warrant a detailed examination and inquiry.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County stated, “We’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation.” At the time of the discovery, three German shepherds were present in the house, and one of them was found deceased inside a closet in the bathroom, in close proximity to Arakawa.

Reports indicated that there were no visible signs of trauma on either body, and no suicide note was found. The couple had been living in New Mexico since 2004 after Hackman retired from his acting career. They got married in 1991.

Barbara Lenihan, a close friend of the couple, mentioned that she had spoken with Arakawa in January. At that time, Hackman appeared to be getting frailer but was still engaged in life. Lenihan described the couple as somewhat reclusive, even though they were loved by those around them.

Elizabeth Jean Hackman, the actor’s daughter, expressed the family’s concern that carbon monoxide poisoning could be responsible, although they were not entirely sure. She mentioned that they believed toxic fumes might have contributed to the unexpected tragedy. The investigation continues, and the authorities are working to uncover the details surrounding this heartbreaking incident.