Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and wife found dead at home

Authorities found the bodies of the 95-year-old actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, during a Wednesday welfare check, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office told CNN. Their dog was also found dead at the scene, police said.

How did all three die? Police could not immediately confirm how Hackman, Arakawa, and the dog died. Investigators do not suspect foul play, but the investigation is ongoing, the sheriff’s office said. A search warrant described the trio as having been dead for a while, according to the Associated Press. A maintenance worker called authorities after finding a door to their home open. Hackman was found in the house’s mudroom, while his wife was found in a bathroom near a bottle of spilled prescription pills, according to the warrant obtained by the AP.

Hackman was known for his Oscar-winning performances in the 1971 action thriller The French Connection and Clint Eastwood’s 1992 western Unforgiven. Despite being known for his tough-guy roles, Hackman also performed in celebrated comedies like The Birdcage and Young Frankenstein. Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, who worked with Hackman in his 1974 mystery The Conversation, described the actor as an inspiration. He mourned the loss while celebrating Hackman’s contributions and legacy in film.