The deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been deemed "suspicious" by New Mexico authorities, according to a search warrant affidavit released on Thursday.
Hackman, 95, and classical pianist Arakawa, 63, were discovered dead in their Santa Fe home alongside their pet dog on Wednesday night.
Initial speculation about a gas leak has been superseded by more troubling concerns, with officials stating the circumstances require "a thorough search and investigation."
"Affiant believes that the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened, deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak," the affidavit reads, according to Variety.
Authorities said Arakawa's body showed "obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mumification in both hands and feet," while Hackman's remains were discovered in a separate mud room with similar decomposition.
The investigation may involve searching the property's "furniture, walls, plumbing equipment, or gas lines," as the affidavit acknowledges that "individuals exposed to gas leaks (or poisonous gas) can suffer immediate and unexpected death."
Tributes have been flooding in for Hollywood icon Hackman and his wife following news of their deaths on Thursday.
In the wake of the heartbreaking news, filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola and Star Trek’s George Takei were among the notable figures paying tribute to the legendary actor and his longtime partner.
On Thursday, Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, wrote on Threads: “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.
“I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution.”
Takei posted a touching tribute to the late actor on X, writing: “We have lost one of the true giants of the screen.
“Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it. He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe.
“That’s how powerful an actor he was. He will be missed, but his work will live on forever.'
Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain also shared on the micro-blogging site: “Ah, Gene Hackman. The finest screen actor ever, I think. Not a single duff performance, in a long, long career.
“And the best delivery ever of a single word: when he says ‘Cigars!’ In Young Frankenstein.”
Meanwhile, Kelly paid tribute to the star while appearing on Good Morning Britain as the news broke: “That is a real shocker, I was just reading about what an amazing actor he is, when you think of the movies that he's been in...French Connection, everybody remembers that!
“Wonderful, wonderful film! I had no idea he was 95! That's really really sad.
“He's an absolute icon, brilliant. He was so funny in Birdcage... he could do drama, he could do comedy, he could do absolutely anything.”
Elsewhere, fans took to social media to pay tribute to the film icon.
One wrote on X: “I loved Gene Hackman. He dressed up every movie he was in, and retired from acting only to become a fiction writer. What a life!”
“Sad news to see that legendary actor Gene Hackman has died gone but not forgotten,” another penned. A third added: “There'll never be another actor like him. An absolute giant of cinema. RIP Gene Hackman”.
Echoing a similar sentiment, a fourth shared: “I’ve always admired Gene Hackman, I don’t think I’ve ever watched him in a movie where he wasn’t wonderful. RIP and thank you for all the wonderful films.”
The outpouring of support comes after Hackman was found dead along with his wife in their New Mexico home, police have revealed.
Officers in Santa Fe said the star, 95, was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and their pet dog.
“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” Adan Mendoza, the Santa Fe County sheriff said.
The former Marine built an impressive career spanning decades, appearing in over 80 films notably his breakout role in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), as well as making his mark on television and the stage.
The acclaimed actor received two Oscars and two Baftas in his acting career.
He secured the best actor Oscar in 1972 for his role as Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle in The French Connection.
Hackman landed a further Academy Award in the best supporting actor category for his part in 1992 Western Unforgiven, directed by Clint Eastwood.
The Get Shorty actor was married twice, with his most recent marriage to classical pianist Betsy Arakawa. He shared three children with his first wife, Faye Maltese.
