THE family of Gene Hackman believe the two-time Oscar winner and his wife Betsy Arakawa may have been poisoned in a suspected gas leak.
Officials have warned any official update on the cause of Hackman's tragic death may still take a painfully long time to emerge.
The 95-year-old was found dead in his Santa Fe home alongside wife Betsy, 63, and their pet dog on Wednesday afternoon.
Mystery still surrounds the shock deaths with investigations into what may have caused the triple tragedy ongoing.
The first alarm was sounded yesterday when neighbors called up cops to report their concerns over the couple's well-being, per ABC News.
Deputies rushed to the couple's $3.8million mansion at around 1:45pm and found both of their bodies inside the home.
It comes as…
- The star was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and their pet dog at their home in Santa Fe, cops said.
- Gene was last spotted with his wife in 2024 just weeks after his 94th birthday
- Cops have not revealed the acting legend's cause of death but say there are no signs of foul play
- Police also said an "active investigation" has been launched into the couple's shocking death
- Tributes to Gene and Betsy pour in from fellow Hollywood actors and stars
- Gene made a haunting comment on his "fear" of death
- The actor's pal revealed how he went from the least likely to succeed at school to a two-time Oscar winner
- Gene had a "difficult" relationship with his kids and lost touch with his son
- The police statement has been released in full
- How Gene met his second wife, who he was married to for 34 years, at the gym
One of their pet dogs was also discovered with them with two others miraculously surviving.
It is believed to have taken an agonising 12 hours to formally identify the couple with their deaths only being confirmed Thursday morning.
Police have said they don't suspect any foul play was at hand but have been unable to provide any official answers as of yet.
Chris Ramirez, spokesperson for the New Mexico medical investigator's office, told The Sun confirmation from the medical examiner's office could still take anywhere between four to six weeks.
But the legendary actor's daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, has told TMZ they believe the couple may have died from toxic fumes which caused carbon monoxide poisoning.
Police are also desperately awaiting a search warrant to scour the property, after initially leaving the home when they found the dead bodies, Sheriff Adan Mendoza told TMZ.
Cops said they applied for a warrant in case they came across criminal evidence.
INCREDIBLE CAREER
Gene's breakout moment was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, where he played Buck Barrow.
He went on to star in Superman movies as well as hit films like Mississippi Burning, Unforgiven, Crimson Tide and The Poseidon Adventure.
In 1972, he scooped the Best Actor gong for his role as Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle in The French Connection.
Gene won a second Academy Award in 1993 as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the western flick Unforgiven.
He played Little Bill Daggett in the film that also starred Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Anna Thomson.
Unforgiven scooped four Oscars, including Best Picture.
His glittering Hollywood career included more than 100 acting roles.
He received five Academy Award nominations, won two Oscars, bagged two BAFTA nominations and three Golden Globes.
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES
Floods of messages from fellow Hollywood stars have poured in to remember the acting legend and his special career.
American actor George Takei said Gene's work "will live on forever".
Takei said: "We have lost one of the true giants of the screen. Gene Hackman could play anyone, and you could feel a whole life behind it.
"He could be everyone and no one, a towering presence or an everyday Joe. That's how powerful an actor he was."
The great filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Gene in the 1974 film The Conversation, remembered him as a "great actor".
Coppola said: "The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity.
"I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution."
Fellow Hollywood star Antonio Banderas also left a touching tribute this afternoon.
Banderas, who starred alongside Hackman in 1995 film Desperado, said on X: "A very sad day for the cinema's family.
"My deepest condolences to friends, family and cinema lovers."
You are not alone
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
For those in the UK please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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