The pills found splayed across the counter of a bathroom where Gene Hackman’s wife was found dead are “of concern”, Santa Fe sheriff Adam Mendoza says.
The bodies of Hackman, 95, and his 65-year-old wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered in different parts of their sprawling home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday. One of their dogs, an Alsatian, was also found dead, but two others were still alive.
Investigators said they may have remained undiscovered for days or weeks and Arakawa’s body had signs of mummification. Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom while Arakawa was found in a bathroom.
Mendoza said in a press conference today that the last event recorded on Hackman’s pacemaker was on February 17.
Speaking on NBC’s Today programme earlier, Mendoza described the prescription bottles as “very important evidence”, which had been passed on to the medical investigator.
“We’re looking at that specifically, and other medications possibly in the residence.”
According to a police affidavit, the pills were found scattered on a countertop.
Although toxicology tests have been carried out on the couple, Mendoza said it could take up to three months for the report to be released.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa during the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2003. Photo / Getty
“Hopefully it will help us to determine the cause of death,” the sheriff said.
“I think the autopsy report is going to be the key to this investigation.
“Just based on their bodies and other evidence on the body, it appears several days and possibly up to a couple weeks.”
While police are “pretty confident” the deaths were not due to foul play, they are treating the deaths as suspicious.
“The autopsy results – official results – will steer us in the right direction,” Mendoza said.
“That could change, obviously, and we’re not ruling that out. This is an open investigation. It’s a couple [of] days old. We’re putting together the timeline, we’re trying to figure out all the evidence.”
Fox News reported that police had taken two cellphones, medical records, and the painkiller Tylenol – the American name for paracetamol – from the house as well as thyroid and blood pressure medication.
The possibility that the couple died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning has now been ruled out.
“Gene Hackman, a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity. I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution,” said Francis Ford Coppola, who directed him in The Conversation.
Pouring two Head shots. One in sorrow. One in celebration. For the loss and for the life and career of the great Gene Hackman. Made a D grade picture with Gene and Dom DeLuise. We laughed together through the whole fiasco. Gene told me he only needed four instructions from…
Bill Murray described Hackman as a “tough nut” and a “really good actor”, who would have had little patience with the latest generation of film-makers.
“So he was a little irritable, but he had to work with children, dogs ... they put him in very challenging positions to work, and so he just felt a lot of responsibility and kept thinking, ‘What am I doing here with these people?’”
Clint Eastwood said: “There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much.”
