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.
Hackmanโs 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 โInitial findings noted no external trauma to either individual.โ
The call to 911 was made from the actorโs estate by an individual who identified himself as a caretaker. According to law enforcement, the call was made just before 2 p.m.
CNNย obtained the 911 audio in the actorโs death.
According to it, the caretaker, who sounded emotional, said they couldnโt enter the home. However, they were able to see two unconscious bodies through the window.
โNo, dude, theyโre not moving. Just send somebody out here really quick,โ the caretaker told the dispatcher.
The newest release from the sheriffโs office stated that it โremains an open investigation.โ
As perย TMZ, a Santa Fe detective who sought a search warrant believed โthe 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.โ
At the time being, the official autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.
โThe autopsy is going to be key, and the toxicology,โย Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendozaย said.
Hackmanโs daughter, Leslie,ย saidย that despite his age, 95, her father was in a good physical condition. โHe liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.โ
She added that despite she hadnโt seen her father and his wife and hadnโt 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 movieย Mad Dog Coll,ย but it took a decade before he got his big breakthrough role.
Hackman was nominated for an Academy award for his role inย Bonnie & Clydeย in 1968, and forย Iย Never Sang for My Fatherย in 1971.
He went on two receive two Oscars for the 1972 filmย Theย French Connection, and the 1993 filmย Unforgiven.
Hackmanโs colleagues shared their tributes. โThere 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,โ actor Clint Eastwood said in a statement.
โOne of the personal highlights of my career was bringing the French Film Gardรฉ a Vue (Under Suspicion) to life with the incredibly gifted Gene Hackman. And of courseโฆ Unforgiven. Rest in peace, my friend,โ Morgan Freeman posted onย Instagram.
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