Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths are reportedly being called “suspicious” just hours after police said no foul play was suspected.
“The death of the two deceased individuals [is] suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened,” a search warrant obtained by TMZ states.
“Deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak.”
Hackman, Arakawa and one of their dogs were found dead inside their New Mexico home on Wednesday. He was 95 and she was 64.
Per TMZ, Arakawa was found lying on her right side on the floor of the bathroom, near a countertop. They reportedly believe she may have fallen.
The authorities also found an orange prescription bottle on the countertop, according to the report, and pills were “scattered.”
As for Hackman, he was reportedly found in a room near the kitchen. He was fully clothed and it’s suspected that he also fell as his glasses were next to his body on the ground.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told Page Six Thursday, “Foul play is not currently suspected as a factor in those deaths. Cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI).”
Sheriff Adan Mendoza reportedly told TMZ that Hackman and Arakawa had been dead for at least a day.
However, the outlet is now reporting that Arakawa — at least — had seemingly been “dead for some time.”
Her body was reportedly in a state of decomposition, her face was bloated and mummification had begun on her hands and feet.
Hackman and Arakawa’s family previously suspected their cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
However, the New Mexico gas company reportedly said Thursday, “As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.”
According to TMZ, the fire department also found no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak.
Page Six has reached out to a rep for Hackman for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The award-winning movie star — known for roles in films like “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The French Connection” — is survived by his three children: Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, whom he shared with his ex-wife, Faye Maltese, who died in 2017.
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