Acting legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico this week and police have since uncovered a key piece of evidence
Police investigating Gene Hackman’s death have uncovered what is said to be a “significant” piece of evidence.
The legendary 95-year-old actor was found dead at his Santa Fe home in New Mexico on Wednesday (February 26) with his wife Betsy Arakawa, 63, and one of their dogs. Their bodies were discovered in separate rooms of the mansion and were decomposed and partially mummified, with no obvious signs of trauma.
Police have launched a probe into the triple death and believe the circumstances are “suspicious enough” to require a search warrant which has now been executed on the property. They suspect no” immediate” signs of foul play but are not ruling anything out at this stage.
At a press conference on Friday (February 28), cops shared a number of insights into the probe and revealed the couple died around 10 days before they were discovered inside of the home. They explained Hackman’s pacemaker stopped working on February 17 and confirmed autopsy and toxicology reports on the couple were pending.
Santa Fe sheriff Adan Mendoza has now reportedly confirmed the pills found near Betsy’s body are a “significant [piece of] evidence” and are “of concern”. A prescription bottle and scattered pills were discovered on the countertop of the bathroom close to her body.
The search warrant stated the prescription pills were common medications for thyroid and high blood pressure. Mendoza said the pills have been handed over to a medical expert and represented “very important evidence”, adding: “We’re looking at [the pills] specifically, and other medications possibly in the residence.”
Besty was found lying on the bathroom floor and Hackman’s body was near the couple’s kitchen. A police document revealed thatBetsy was “found decomposed with bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet” and that Gene had the “same signs of decomposition as his wife”.
Detectives believe Hackman may have died of a sudden fall as a walking cane was reportedly found next to his body as well as glasses. They also believe Besty could have fallen as a portable heater was discovered near to Betsy’s head, which could have been brought down if she, too, had suddenly fallen to the ground.
The local fire department and local utility company found no signs of a gas leak in the area and no suggestion of a carbon monoxide leak. Police have assured residents that there’s “no immediate danger to anyone”.
Three dogs were found at the home – one was dead in a bathroom closet, close to Betsy’s body. The other two dogs, who have been safely rescued, were found alive and healthy and roaming the property, one inside and one out.
Gene won two Oscars during his incredible acting career. The first was for Best Actor for playing Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection, and the second was for Best Supporting Actor as “Little” Bill Daggett in Clint Eastwood film Unforgiven.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
