Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, was allegedly found “mummified” in their home.
On Wednesday, February 26, the legendary actor and 64-year-old classical pianist and 64-year-old classical pianist were found alongside their pet dogs.
Local media outlet Santa Fe, New Mexico reported that county sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the sad news in the early hours of Thursday, February 27.
According to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, Arakawa was found in the bathroom and it appears she had been “for a while” because her body was found in a decomposition state.
It was reported that her face was swollen and her hands and feet found the mummy in the bathroom closet.
Hackman was found in a separate room, dressed in full clothing.
Although there are no direct concerns about fouls, media reports say the Hackman family believes that carbon monoxide poisoning may be blamed on carbon.
His daughter Elizabeth Jean Hackman told the publication that everyone wasn’t sure what was going on, but thought the cause might have been related to the toxic smoke.
However, TMZ reported that the Fire Department and the New Mexico Gas Company – visited the property and found no signs of a carbon monoxide leak.
The latter added through the publication: “So far, there is no sign or evidence of any problems with the pipelines within and around the residence.”
The cause of death has not been confirmed and the investigation is still underway.
A neighbor expressed concerns about his health and officers conducted welfare checks at their homes.
Their bodies were found at that time, said Denise Avila, a public information officer for the Santa Fe County Sheriff.
KOB4 reports that police were dispatched around 1:45 p.m. and the sheriff’s office finally identified the couple at night.
In an interview Wednesday night, the sheriff said there was no immediate concern about the foul, although he did not provide the reason for DE@th.
“We can confirm that Gene Hackman and his wife were found at their residence on the Sunset Trail Wednesday afternoon,” the PA reported.
“It’s a positive investigation – but at the moment we don’t think fouls are a factor.”
He continued: “All I can say is that we are in the midst of a preliminary death investigation, awaiting approval of the search warrant.”
Legendary actor, Hackman has won two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, one Screen Actor Award and Silver Bears over his six decades career.
The couple have been married since 1991 and moved to New Mexico from Los Angeles in 2004.
Born in California in 1930, Hackman joined the army at the age of 16 and served in the Marine Corps for four and a half years before deciding to pursue a career in acting.
Hackman appears in numerous iconic characters, but his two Oscar-winning parts may also be remembered.
He won Jimmy’Popeye’ Doyle’s first Oscar in William Friedkin’s thriller The French Connection (1971), and another was the best support actor for playing the role of “Little” Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood’s Western Eastwood East Worth Forment (1992).
