The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, whose bodies were found in separate rooms in their Santa Fe, New Mexico mansion, are still being investigated.
Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, was the first to suspect the cause of death could be gas leak, although, according to her, the mansion where her dad and his wife resided was relatively new.
The Santa Fe Fire Department and New Mexico Gas Company found no apparent signs of a carbon monoxide leak, but the medical examiner is performing tests, including checking for the presence of the toxic gas.
Following the autopsy, it was reported that “Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.”
The call to 911 was made from the actor’s estate by an individual who identified himself as a caretaker. According to law enforcement, the call was made just before 2 p.m.
CNN obtained the 911 audio in the actor’s death.
According to it, the caretaker, who sounded emotional, said they couldn’t enter the home. However, they were able to see two unconscious bodies through the window.
“No, dude, they’re not moving. Just send somebody out here really quick,” the caretaker told the dispatcher.
The newest release from the sheriff’s office stated that it “remains an open investigation.”
As per TMZ, a Santa Fe detective who sought a search warrant believed “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.”
At the time being, the official autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.
“The autopsy is going to be key, and the toxicology,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said.
Hackman’s daughter, Leslie, said that despite his age, 95, her father was in a good physical condition. “He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.”
She added that despite she hadn’t seen her father and his wife and hadn’t contacted them for a couple of months, they were very close.
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Gene Hackman is considered a Hollywood legend.
He had his acting debut in the 1961 movie Mad Dog Coll, but it took a decade before he got his big breakthrough role.
Hackman was nominated for an Academy award for his role in Bonnie & Clyde in 1968, and for I Never Sang for My Father in 1971.
He went on two receive two Oscars for the 1972 film The French Connection, and the 1993 film Unforgiven.
Hackman’s colleagues shared their tributes. “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much,” actor Clint Eastwood said in a statement.
“One of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardé a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of course… Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend,” Morgan Freeman posted on Instagram.
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