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By Marni Rose McFall
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Initial findings from the autopsies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have begun to emerge. The Hollywood legend and his wife were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with their dog.
What Do We Know So Far?
Early results from the autopsy show "no external trauma to either," the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said in an email shared with Newsweek.
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Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests have reportedly been requested. The Santa Fe County sheriff has said that the manner and cause of death is under investigation.
The full autopsy report, as well as the toxicology reports, are still pending. The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were transported to the Office of the Medical Investigation in the early hours of Thursday for the autopsy.
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County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told the Santa Fe New Mexican that there was no indication of foul play.
However, authorities are calling the deaths "suspicious," according to a search warrant affidavit released on Thursday morning, as per Variety.
A search warrant affidavit states that the deaths require a "thorough search and investigation."
"This is an active and ongoing investigation," a spokesperson told Newsweek via email.
Discovery of Hackman and Arakawa
According to a statement provided to Newsweek by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, police deputies were dispatched to Hackman's address on Old Sunset Trail, in Hyde Park, at around 1:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
Santa Fe County Sheriff's public information officer Denise Avila told reporters that officers were sent to the property after receiving a call from a concerned neighbor.
They discovered Hackman, Arakawa and their dog dead inside the property. Hackman was discovered in a side room near the kitchen of the home, while his wife was found in a bathroom.
In Thursday news conference, Mendoza said: "It sounds like they had been deceased for quite a while, and I don't want to guess in reference to how long that was."
A detective who responded to the scene said they believed the couple had been dead for some time due to Arakawa's "decomposition" and "mummification" in the hands and feet. It is not yet clear if Hackman was found in a similar state of decomposition.
A portable heater was found near to Arakawa's head, which detectives have said could have been brought down if she had abruptly fallen to the ground. A prescription bottle and scattered pills were on the bathroom countertop.
Hackman was found wearing gray tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers. Sunglasses and walking cane were also found next to the body. The detective suspected that he had suddenly fallen.
What Have Hackman's Family Said?
Gene Hackman's daughters and granddaughter have shared a message and a tribute to him. Hackman has two daughters Elizabeth Jean and Leslie Anne—with his first wife, Faye Maltese. He also has a son Christopher Allen.
In a statement, Elizabeth, Leslie and Hackman's granddaughter Annie Hackman, said: "He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just dad and grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."
Hackman married Maltese in 1956 and the two divorced in 1986. Maltese died in 2017.
Hackman's Legacy and Hollywood Tributes
California-born Hackman was Hollywood royalty. He leaves behind an indelible mark on cinema and a film legacy, with roles like Buck Barrow in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, the iconic Lex Luthor in Superman and Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett in Unforgiven.
His career spanned more than four decades and saw him take on a variety of roles, from comedic turns to tough-guy parts. He was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two and also won three Golden Globes.
He was beloved and revered by his peers. Tributes to the late actor have been led by Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
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