The death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are considered “suspicious” by police. Although murder is not suspected at this time, investigators have launched extensive searches and investigations to determine the cause, Variety reported.
The bodies of Hackman and Arakawa were located in separate areas of their Santa Fe home, where they were found. She was found lying on the bathroom floor, an open bottle of pills next to her and some scattered on the floor. The two-time Oscar-winning actor was in another room, adjacent to the kitchen, with his sunglasses by his side. Both appeared to have fallen to the ground. In addition, their dog was also found dead in the bathroom closet, while two other healthy dogs were found on the property, according to Variety.
According to the detective, whose name TMZ does not provide, a thorough investigation is needed because “the person who made the report” to police “found the front door of the residence unsecured and open.”
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The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the scene, noted no signs of forced entry into the home. Firefighters and gas company personnel checked for a possible gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, but no signs of such hazards were found. “There are no obvious signs of a gas leak,” Detective Roy Arndt stated in a search warrant, although the circumstances were deemed suspicious enough to warrant further investigation, according to Variety.
The bodies showed clear signs of decomposition. Arakawa’s body had swelling of the face and mummification of the hands and feet. Hackman’s body showed similar signs. A space heater was found near Arakawa’s body, which may have fallen if the woman had collapsed suddenly, the detective observed, Variety reports. Investigators have requested a search of the home for phones, video evidence, DNA, fingerprints, and any weapons.
Although there were no visible signs of trauma, investigators are also examining blunt or sharp objects that may have been used. Autopsies confirmed that neither body had traumatic injuries, such as gunshot or stab wounds. Toxicology and carbon monoxide tests are pending.
—Adnkronos International, Rome (TNS)
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