The tragic death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa has been ruled "suspicious" by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office to require a full investigation.
The late actor was found dead alongside his wife and their dog in their home in Santa Fe, Mexico last Wednesday. Initially, there was no foul play suspected when their deaths were publicly announced.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Death Considered 'Suspicious'
According to the search warrant affidavit, Hackman and Arakawa's death is now being considered "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation" by the authorities who are handling the case.
The cause of death remains undetermined as the autopsy is still ongoing and might take weeks to determine the results.
More details have also emerged as it was revealed that Hackman and Arakawa's bodies were discovered by two maintenance workers. No one has reportedly seen the couple in two weeks.
Arakawa's body was lying on the bathroom floor with pills scattered nearby while Hackman's body was discovered in the mud room adjacent to the kitchen with sunglasses nearby. Both were in a state of body decomposition and showed no signs of trauma.
The couple's dead dog was also found a few feet away from Arakawa's body. Their two other dogs were found alive and healthy running outdoors. The front door of the house was open, but there were no signs of forcible entry.
The fire department and the gas company, that conducted the inspection, also did not detect any signs of gas leak that would cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Gene Hackman's Career and Legacy
Hackman's legendary career spanned four decades with numerous iconic films and roles in his resume.
He won two Academy Awards for his iconic performance as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection and the villainous sheriff "Little" Bill Daggett in Unforgiven.
He also starred in acclaimed films such as Bonnie and Clyde, The Poseidon Adventure, Young Frankenstein, Superman, A Bridge Too Far, Reds, Hoosiers, Mississippi Burning, The Firm, Get Shorty, The Birdcage, and The Royal Tenenbaums.
After making his last film in 2004, Hackman retired from acting and spent the rest of his life living quietly with his wife in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Following the news of his death, several Hollywood stars paid tribute to Hackman and praised him as "one of the greats" and "inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity."
What is your favorite performance from Hackman? Let us know in the comments!
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