We had reported earlier that Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their pet dog were found dead in their New Mexico home on Thursday. Though authorities initially told the press that no foul play was suspected, it has been now revealed that they deemed the deaths "suspicious" and require further investigation, according to a search warrant affidavit.
As per reports, Hackman and Arakawa were dead for at least a day and they were discovered in an unconscious state by maintenance workers who alerted the police. After the preliminary autopsy, the Santa Fe Sheriff's office told news agencies they didn't find any signs of external trauma or a written note.
Hackman, it was reported, was found dead in a kitchen and his wife's body lay inside the bathroom, with a prescription bottle and pills scattered nearby. The body of their pet dog, a German Shepherd, was found inside a crate in the bathroom.
The search warrant affidavit stated that the front door of the residence was found unsecured and opened and that there were no immediate signs of a break-in.
It also stated that the deaths were suspicious enough to require further investigation and that Arrakawa's body showed signs of death, undergoing decomposition, with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet. Hackman, too, was found in a similar state.
Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991. The latter was a classical pianist.
The actor's daughter initially suspected a gas leak — possible carbon monoxide poisoning — but the preliminary investigation revealed that was not the case.
ALSO READ: Gene Hackman's best performances
A recipient of two Academy Awards, two BAFTA awards, and four Golden Globe awards, Hackman initially appeared in many small parts before making his breakthrough with Bonnie and Clyde and, later, attained more popularity with William Friedkin's The French Connection.
Often associated with authority figures and negative characters in films such as Behind Enemy Lines, Unforgiven, and Crimson Tide, Hackman also demonstrated in character-centric dramas such as The Conversation and Heist as well as demonstrating comedic talents in films such as Get Shorty and The Royal Tenenbaums. He is also known for his villainous turn as Lex Luthor in Richard Donner's Superman.
Hackman is expected to be honoured at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday.
