Authorities investigating the mysterious death of legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog have concluded autopsies on both victims.
Amid intense speculation about how Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, aged 95 and 64, tragically died inside their $3.8million home in Sante Fe, New Mexico, investigators have revealed no external trauma was seen on either body.
While the autopsies were completed early on Thursday morning, authorities are still waiting on the full results, along with a toxicology report.
One of Gene’s three children, Leslie Anne Hackman, had earlier told DailyMail.com she and her sister Elizabeth Jean speculated that they may have been killed by inhaling toxic fumes due to a carbon monoxide leak.
But Santa Fe City Fire personnel and the New Mexico Gas Company tested the couple’s home for carbon monoxide and other foreign elements after their bodies were found, and concluded the area was safe.
‘New Mexico Gas Company responded to the residence and was conducting active testing on the gas line in and around the residence,’ an affidavit stated.
‘As of now there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.’
Sheriff Adan Mendoza said in a statement Thursday afternoon that ‘initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.’
Authorities investigating the mysterious death of legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog have concluded autopsies on both victims
Santa Fe County deputies were photographed outside of Betsy and Gene’s home in Santa Fe on Thursday as they continue to investigate the cause of death
‘There were no apparent signs of foul play. The manner and cause of death has not been determined.
‘The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending. This remains an open investigation.’
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber paid tribute to the legendary actor on Thursday afternoon, describing him as a ‘gracious, friendly’ celebrity who ‘treated everyone well.
‘He fit in, in a good way,’ Webber said. ‘These are two people who have huge talent, gifts, global reputations, and here in Santa Fe they’re just down to earth people and part of the community.’
‘The town of Santa Fe is a great place for people t ocome who may be global icons, huge stars, but here in Santa Fe they’re just… part of us.’
Leslie, 58, said that the family is still processing what happened since ‘there was no indication that there was any problem’ with her father prior to his death.
‘Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,’ she revealed, while adding that her father did not have any major surgeries these last few months.
‘He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.’
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber paid tribute to the legendary actor on Thursday afternoon, describing him as a ‘gracious, friendly’ celebrity who ‘treated everyone well
Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said that their bodies had been in their home for at least a day before deputies found them deceased. There are fears they were dead as long as two weeks.
An arrest warrant obtained by DailyMail.com revealed both bodies were found with signs of decomposition and partially-mummified.
The cold, dry air of the New Mexico desert climate likely helped preserve their skin and tissues.
The couple’s bodies appear to have taken hours to identify, with news of their deaths not released until after midnight Thursday morning.
Hackman was found dead a mud room just off the couple’s kitchen. His sunglasses and cane were on the floor next to him, sparking speculation he may have died from a fall.
Arakawa was found dead on the floor of the couple’s bathroom. An open bottle of prescription pills was found partially scattered on a countertop nearby.
Neither showed any sign of wounds.
The results of an autopsy could take four to six weeks to be published, local officials have said.
Gene and Betsy got married in 1991 and were married for 34 years before their tragic deaths.
‘They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive,’ Leslie said.
