In the quiet town of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a grim discovery was made.  The bodies of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found in their home.  The scene was eerie.  The bodies were partially decomposed, with bloating in the face and mummification in the hands and feet.  The cause of death was not immediately clear.

The maintenance worker who found the bodies was shaken.  He called 911, his voice trembling as he described the unsettling sight.  He urged the dispatcher to send help quickly.  The dispatcher could hear the urgency in his voice.  The worker had last seen the couple two weeks prior.  He had no idea what had happened in the meantime.

When deputies arrived, they found the front door slightly open.  Inside, they discovered the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 64, along with their dog.  Arakawa was found in a bathroom near a space heater.  Hackman was found near the kitchen, with a walking cane and sunglasses nearby.  The deputy suspected that the space heater could have fallen if Arakawa had suddenly collapsed.

The investigation is ongoing.  Authorities are waiting for full autopsy and toxicology reports.  Initial results showed no external trauma to either Hackman or Arakawa.  The cause of death will be determined by the state Office of the Medical Investigator.  The case remains open.

The couple's daughter, Leslie, spoke about her father's health.  She said he was in good shape and did yoga and Pilates regularly.  She hadn't seen him in a few years, but they stayed in touch.  She described him as a good-hearted person.

The Sheriff's Office assured the community that there was no immediate danger.  They found no signs of forced entry or foul play.  The home was locked up tight, with no signs of a break-in.  The garage and other buildings on the property were also secure.  Nothing appeared to be out of place.

The Santa Fe Fire Department tested the home for carbon monoxide leaks.  They found no signs of poisoning or issues with the gas line.  New Mexico Gas Co. was assisting with the investigation.  The couple's maintenance workers kept in touch through text messages and phone calls.  They had spoken to the couple two weeks earlier.

The investigation is ongoing.  Authorities are working to piece together what happened.  They are awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology reports.  The community is left with many questions.  What caused the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife?  Why were their bodies found in such a state?  Only time will tell as the investigation continues.

Mystery Surrounds Deaths of Actor Gene Hackman and Wife

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