HOLLYWOOD legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were mysteriously found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe mansion as investigators struggle to piece together what happened.

Authorities now believe the couple may have been dead for weeks before their bodies were discovered, with one showing signs of “mummification”.

The term was used by a Santa Fe detective, according to a search warrant obtained by TMZ, although a mummification process typically takes months to occur.

But experts suggest the officer likely meant that decomposition had advanced significantly, rather than full mummification.

One of the couple’s horrified friends found the bodies inside their $3.8million Santa Fe home and desperately called the cops on Wednesday afternoon.

Mystery still surrounds the shock deaths as the pair were found in separate rooms and one of their dogs was dead while the others miraculously survived, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said.
It is unclear whether the dog was found in a kennel or a closet in the home.

Deputies rushed to the couple’s mansion at around 1:45pm and saw both of their bodies, which had been dead for some time, inside the home.
Cops have now labelled their deaths “suspicious” because the door to their home was found open but there was no sign of forced entry, according to the affidavit.

A Santa Fe detective reportedly said a dead woman, believed to be Betsy, was found in a state of decomposition.

Cops said she was found near a prescription bottle “opened with pills scattered on the counter-top” and “no obvious signs of a gas leak”.

This investigator added Gene was found fully clothed, with his sunglasses next to his body, in a wet room, suggesting he could have fallen suddenly.
Officials have warned any official update on the cause of Hackman’s tragic death may still take a painfully long time to emerge.

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.

Investigators said they did not find a suicide note and there were no blatant signs of trauma to their bodies.

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.

Mystery still shrouds the couple’s shock death as Mendoza said they could have been victims of a double homicide, suicide, accidental death or natural causes, according to TMZ.

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

“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 and are devastated by the loss.

“Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman.”

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 and even royalty have poured in to remember the acting legend and his special career.

Prince William said he was “so sad” to hear the heartbreaking news about Gene and his wife.

The future king said: “Hackman was a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity and star quality.”
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.”

Gene’s Superman co-star Valerie Perrine called the actor a “great”.

Perrine said: “He was a genius and one of the greatest to grace the silver screen. I had the honour of working with him on Superman.”

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.”