Preliminary autopsies on Gene Hackman and wife find no external injuries in their ‘suspicious’ deaths

Initial findings from preliminary autopsies on Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, show there was “no external trauma to either individual,” the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday.

The couple was found dead in their New Mexico home on Wednesday, US time, along with their dog, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office told CNN. Hackman was 95 and his wife 64.

The manner and cause of the couple’s deaths have not been determined, according to the sheriff’s office which said: “This remains an open investigation.”

Official autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, the sheriff’s office said.

Carbon monoxide and toxicology tests have been requested for both Hackman and Arakawa.

While foul play is not suspected in their deaths, officials in New Mexico say they have not ruled it out.

“The circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals (are considered) to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation,” a sheriff’s deputy said, according to the affidavit for a search warrant obtained by CNN affiliate KOAT.

“There was no obvious sign or indication of foul play,” Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said on Thursday, adding there was no sign of a struggle or that items had been taken from the home.

The couple had been deceased for quite a while, Mendoza said.

In an initial public statement on the deaths, the sheriff’s office said: “Foul play is not suspected as a factor in those deaths at this time.”

“The autopsy is going to be key, and the toxicology,” Mendoza said on Thursday.

The investigation is ongoing and will be handled with caution and with facts, he said.

Scattered pills were found near the body of Arakawa, who was found lying on the ground inside a bathroom with an open bottle of prescription pills on a countertop nearby, the affidavit said.

A space heater was found near her head and a dog was found dead in the bathroom closet, according to the affidavit.

Hackman’s body was discovered on the ground in another room near the kitchen.

The deputy “suspected the male individual (had) suddenly fallen,” the affidavit said. Both Hackman and Arakawa appeared to have died days earlier, the deputy said.

Two other healthy dogs were found in other parts of the property. The front door was open and unsecured, and there were no signs of forced entry or theft.

The bodies were first discovered by someone who identified themself as a caretaker, according to a 911 call obtained by CNN. In the affidavit, the deputy had said maintenance workers found the couple dead.

The call was made just before 2pm local time on Wednesday, according to police.

The caller was emotional when they described the scene to the 911 dispatcher, noting they could not enter the home but could see two unconscious people through the window.

“No, dude, they’re not moving. Just send somebody out here really quick,” the caretaker told the dispatcher.

The investigation found no immediate signs of a carbon monoxide leak or natural gas leak, according to the document.

The search warrant application requested permission to look for any possible combustible materials, controlled substances, weapons, DNA and other potential evidence.

It was not immediately clear if the more thorough search has taken place yet or what further evidence may have been seized.

Medical examiners’ reports with the final cause of death “generally take anywhere from four weeks to six weeks to generate,” New Mexico medical investigator’s office spokesperson Chris Ramirez said.

“We want to make sure we get the investigation completed properly and we want to release the proper information,” Mendoza said.

Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter said the actor’s family is “devastated by the loss”.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” the family said in a statement.

“He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely.”