Authorities are investigating the deaths of Oscar-winning cinema giant Gene Hackman and his wife, who were found dead in their home in circumstances police are calling suspicious.
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and his classical pianist wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, along with that of a pet dog, were discovered at their property in New Mexico last week.
Authorities initially reported there were no signs of foul play, but a search warrant said a detective believed the deaths were suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s officers called to the home by maintenance workers found the door unlocked and open, and pills scattered next to Arakawa’s body, which was in the bathroom.
Hackman’s body was found in another room, fully clothed, with sunglasses next to his body, apparently having fallen suddenly.
A German Shepherd was found dead in the bathroom, and two other healthy dogs were at the house.
Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth Jean said carbon monoxide poisoning may be to blame for the deaths of the couple, who married in 1991.
