Authorities are investigating the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog at home in New Mexico.
Their bodies were found in a welfare check Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Deputies from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office found Hackman, 95, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that the bodies of Hackman and Alakava were found in a separate room in the house on the Old Sunset Trail in Santa Fe.
According to the Associated Press, the body of Alakava was found near a space heater in the bathroom, with prescription drugs scattered on nearby countertops.
The office said a comprehensive investigation is underway and no cause of death was established. Officials said the cause of death will be determined by the medical investigator’s national office.
According to the Associated Press, New Mexico Gas Corporation is also assisting the sheriff’s office in an investigation.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told Santa Fe, New Mexico that it is not clear when the couple died.
“I can only say we are in the preliminary investigation of death,” he told the paper.
“I want to assure the community and the community that there is no direct danger to anyone,” he said.
NBC Station in New Mexico reported that a neighbor called on authorities to pay attention to its welfare.
