Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, suffered “no external trauma” when they were found dead inside their multi-million New Mexico home as police completed their preliminary autopsies on Thursday.
Their deaths have been subject to much speculation this week after it emerged that they were both found in different rooms of the home and Arakawa’s body was found mummified and bloated.
Santa Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that there are no signs of foul play in Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths while he awaits for the official autopsy and toxicology reports.
“Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual,” he said. “There were no apparent signs of foul play. The manner and cause of death has not been determined.”
“The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.”
Authorities also requested that a carbon monoxide test be performed.
Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company tested the pair’s $3.8 million home for carbon monoxide after Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were discovered.
However, fire department officials found no evidence of a toxic leak in the home.
“New Mexico Gas Company responded to the residence and was conducting active testing on the gas line in and around the residence,” an affidavit read.
“As of now there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.”
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the couple’s death were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation” after police found an “unsecured and opened” door to the home.
Officials stumbled on a prescription pill bottle with pills scattered around the room where Arakawa and one of the couple’s dogs were discovered, an affidavit adds.
A maintenance worker who initially raised the alarm when he got no response from inside the home said he hadn’t seen the couple in about two weeks, according to the court documents.
On Thursday, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber paid tribute to the Hollywood icon, saying he was always “gracious and friendly” and “treated everyone well.”
“He fit in, in a good way,” Webber said. “These are two people who have huge talent, gifts, global reputations, and here in Santa Fe they’re just down to earth people and part of the community.”
“The town of Santa Fe is a great place for people to come who may be global icons, huge stars, but here in Santa Fe they’re just… part of us,” Webber added.
One of Hackman’s three children, daughter Leslie Anne, 58, this week told TMZ that she and her sister, Elizabeth Jean, suspect their dad, his wife and one of their dogs may have died from toxic fumes inside their home.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa found dead in their home
Admitting she’s still processing what happened, Leslie told the outlet that her father was “in very good physical condition” in the months leading up to his death.
“He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health,” she added.
While there were no signs of visible trauma, Mendoza said they could have been victims of a double homicide, suicide, accidental death, or natural causes.
Two living dogs were found on the property — one inside the home and one outside, according to authorities.
