Authorities are sharing more details in the death of Gene Hackman.
After the French Connection star, 95, and wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home Feb. 26, Sheriff Adan Mendoza told TMZ that the couple had been dead for “at least a day.”
The couple—who married in 1991—were found dead, along with one of their three dogs, in their Santa Fe home after a neighbor called the police for a wellness check Feb. 26. Authorities are still investigating the case, they told NBC News in a statement, but believe no foul play was involved.
However, Mendoza told TMZ that nothing had been entirely ruled out, telling the publication that the couple could have been victims of “a double homicide, suicide, accidental death or natural causes.”
Two of the couple’s other dogs had been found in the home alive, Mendoza added, but it has not been determined what will become of the surviving animals. The sheriff also noted that the fire department had been called to the home to ensure no toxic fumes would interfere with the search or endanger police.
E! News has reached out to authorities for additional information but has not yet heard back.
Gene relocated to the Santa Fe area in the 1980s, and appeared in his last film, Welcome to Mooseport in 2004. Although the actor nabbed two Academy Award wins—Best Actor in 1972 for The French Connection and then Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for Unforgiven—as well as three additional nominations throughout his career, he was vocal about the grueling aspects of the job.
“My least favorite thing in the business is having my still photograph taken and doing interviews about films or about my work,” he All About Actors in 1992, shortly after moving out of Hollywood. “It’s very wearying, and I do very little of that anymore.”
But despite his dislike for the limelight that came with acting, Gene was vocal about his love for the craft, and his fans.
“You always think in terms of that your best work lies ahead of you, that you’re maturing and growing as an actor, and that you still have something to offer,” he explained. “It’s really that simple.”
As the Royal Tenenbaums alum added of his fanbase, “People really think that they know you just because you’ve been around for so long, but it’s nice that people are concerned about you.”
For a look back on Gene’s life, keep reading.
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