Gene Hackman, wife's cause of death: What we know, including pill bottles found on the scene
Authorities found actor Gene Hackman dead alongside his wife, pianist Betsy Arakawa, and their dog at their New Mexico home.
Deputies found the 95-year-old actor and Arakawa deceased on Wednesday around 1:45 p.m., according to a statement Thursday from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. The office says it does not suspect foul play, however, an exact cause of death has not been determined. In a search warrant released Thursday, police described Hackman and Arakawa's deaths as "suspicious."
Paste BN has reached out to Hackman's rep for comment.
As more details emerge, here's what we know so far.
Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman cause of death
New Mexico officials have yet to determine the cause of Hackman, Arakawa and their dog's death.
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator told Paste BN Thursday that its autopsy, toxicology and postmortem exam reports – which includes the cause of death – could take anywhere from four to six weeks.
"Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths," the spokesperson said, and the sheriff's office is investigating.
911 call in Gene Hackman death released
According to a 911 call recording obtained by TMZ and Storyful, an unidentified caller is heard coordinating with police on having authorities sent to Hackman and Arakawa's New Mexico residence.
The individual, who disclosed they're the caretaker of the subdivision where the couple lived, was unable to identify Hackman and Arakawa's ages or genders to police.
Authorities investigating, don't suspect carbon monoxide poisoning in Gene Hackman, wife Betsy Arakawa's death
Deputies did not see signs of forced entry into the Sante Fe, New Mexico, residence, and the front door was open upon their arrival, according to a search warrant. The Santa Fe City Fire Department, working with the New Mexico Gas Co., did not find evidence of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning.
Hackman and Arakawa were found in separate rooms. The actor was found in a mudroom near his cane, appearing to have fallen, while his wife was found in an open bathroom near a space heater, with an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the nearby countertop, according to the warrant. A deputy observed "body decomposition, bloating in her face" and mummification in her hands and feet.
One of the couple's German shepherds was also found dead less than 15 feet from Arakawa in a closet, while their other two dogs were found alive in the bathroom near Arakawa and outside.
According to investigators, the scene was "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation" after several things were found at the scene, including the front door open and unlocked, a healthy dog "running loose on the property," another "healthy dog" found near Arakawa and the dead dog and space heater found near the actor's wife.
They also cited the open pill bottle and scattered prescription pills next to Arakawa as well as no obvious signs of a gas leak and Hackman being in a different room than his wife.
Gene Hackman's health struggles: What is angina?
Hackman, who was largely out of the spotlight in the last two decades, underwent an angioplasty procedure in 1990 after a spell of angina. According to the Mayo Clinic, angina is chest pain that occurs when blood flow to the heart is restricted.
In 2012, the Academy Award winner was hit by a pickup truck while riding his bike. Hackman's publicist told CNN at the time that the accident wasn't serious, "just a few bumps and bruises."
Who is Gene Hackman?
An intense character actor who won two Oscars in a more than 60-year career, Hackman brought a rogue charm and everyman believability to iconic roles such as his best acting-winning performance as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection."
The multi-talented actor and novelist Hackman infused humanity and his trademark laugh into even his villain roles, a particular specialty in his four-decade film career – from the gleefully meglomanic Lex Luthor in the "Superman" franchise, his nuke-happy submarine commander in 1995's "Crimson Tide," his conniving secretary of defense in 1987's "No Way Out," a deadly corporate lawyer in "The Firm" his sleazy B-movie director in 1995's "Get Shorty" and his loathsome sheriff in his Oscar-winning "Unforgiven" role.
What was the last movie Gene Hackman made?
He gave no reasoning or fanfare with his decision to retire after making the critically and financially unsuccessful "Welcome to Mooseport" in 2004.
Why did Gene Hackman stop acting?
In a 2008 Reuters interview, Hackman confirmed he would not be returning to acting: "I haven't held a press conference to announce retirement, but yes, I'm not going to act any longer. I've been told not to say that over the last few years, in case some real wonderful part comes up, but I really don't want to do it any longer."
Gene Hackman's dogs: Actor's German shepherd
According to his author page on Simon & Schuster's website, the actor had two German shepherds. The "Superman" star wrote two novels and co-authored three more.
This story has been updated to include additional information.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Anika Reed, Jay Stahl and Edward Segarra, Paste BN; Reuters