A Santa Fe detective has called the deaths of Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and their dog “suspicious,” according to a new TMZ report.
Police and Hackman’s own daughter originally suspected a carbon monoxide leak was to blame for their deaths. But police say there is no sign of a gas leak in the Santa Fe, New Mexico home.
Hackman’s body was reportedly found in a different room of the residence than where Arakawa’s body was found.
Arakawa was found lying on her side in a bathroom, with a space heater near her body, ABC News reports. A deceased German Shepherd was found about 10-15 feet from Arakawa, while two other dogs were found alive on the property.
The detective wrote in an affidavit, that he believed the deaths deserved a thorough investigation because “the reporting party” found the couple’s front door open and unsecured.
The affidavit said there were “no obvious signs of a gas leak,” in the house.
The bodies of Hackman, Arakawa and their dog were discovered on Wednesday afternoon when police conducted a welfare check. Hackman and Arakawa had been dead for more than a day when they were found.
The detective also noted a pill bottle left open with pills scattered near Arakawa’s body.
Arakawa’s body was in an advanced state of decomposition “with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet.”
Meanwhile, Hackman was “fully clothed” with his sunglasses found near his body, indicating that he may have fallen, TMZ reported.
Hackman’s private hideaway consisted of 2 properties on 12 acres in Santa Fe. The homes were situated on a hilltop with a 360-degree view that stretches as far as the Colorado mountains.
