Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were discovered dead (
Image: WireImage)

Police in Santa Fe, New Mexico, continue to investigate the deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa, a famous musician, whose bodies were discovered by a maintenance worker

The full extent of the police investigation into the mysterious deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife can be revealed for the first time – and the troubling questions facing cops.

The search warrant executed by cops attending the scene has now been released which lays bare a number of mysteries. Firefighters underwent testing to determine if there were signs of a possible carbon monoxide leak (or poisoning), a tragedy which has earned the eerie nickname of the “stealth assassin” over the years.

The probe continues in Santa Fe, New Mexico – as Hollywood mourns a megastar who won two Oscars, two BAFTAs and four Golden Globe Awards in an illustrious career which spanned four decades.

Here we go over what cops in New Mexico are now hoping to establish:

The Hollywood legend, pictured here in 2022, had an illustrious career which spanned four decades ( 
Image:
@SethRudetsky/Twitter)

Did Hackman Fall?

Cops “observed a pair of feet and legs on the ground near the kitchen area” which they found to be Hackman. The report states he was in “the mud room.” It reads: “The deceased male who was found wearing gray sweat pants, a blue in colour long-sleeve t-shirt, brown slippers, and walking-cane. Deputy Thomas indicated he observed a pair of sunglasses located near the decedent’s left of his body. Based on Deputy Thomas ‘ training and experience he suspected the male individual has suddenly fallen . Deputy Thomas advised the male decedent also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent.”

Why was the door to the house ajar?

The two maintenance people found the front door ajar but cops concluded there was no sign of forced entry. It’s not known how long the door was open for and one of the dogs was in the garden who could have forced their way out. But officers say they still believe the open door needs investigating.

Gene and Betsy lived in a hideaway property in Santa Fe, New Mexico ( 
Image:
BACKGRID)

Did the scene of Betsy’s death suggest she too had fallen?

A black heater was found near her head, the report states. It reads: “He advised he suspected the heater could have fallen in the event the female abruptly fell to the ground.” The office also “advised he also observed an orange prescription bottle on the counter-top near the deceased female. The prescription bottle appeared opened with pills scattered on the counter-top.”

Why was the dog in the closet?

The report states how the cops “then observed/found a deceased brown in colour German-Shepard canine. The deceased canine was located approximately 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom.”

The report does not state if the closet door was open or shut but the police did confirm that the bathroom door was open.

Gene and Betsy loved animals and had at least two dogs

Why were the other two dogs healthy?

The report states “the healthy dogs was initially observed near the deceased female (inside the bathroom) and the other healthy dog was observed outside the residence.”

When was the last contact with Hackman and his wife?

The police asked when the maintenance workers had contact with the Hackmans

……and the report states “they both advised it was approximately two (2) weeks prior. Both individuals advised they rarely saw the owners (of the residence ) when conducting routine maintenance on the home. Both indicated they maintained contact with the homeowners through text message and phone calls and primarily communicated with the female homeowner.” It is not clear if this was face to face contact or via text message.

The couple had ‘a wonderrful marriage,’ Gene’s daughter said ( 
Image:
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

The actor holds his second Oscar, awarded for his role in western Unforgiven ( 
Image:
Corbis via Getty Images)

Was it a carbon monoxide leak?

Santa Fe City Fire Department underwent testing to determine if there were signs of a possible carbon monoxide leak (or poisoning). The report states: “He advised the fire department did not locate signs of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning….as of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence.”

Gene played a lead role in crime thriller Mississippi Burning in 1988 ( 
Image:
Mirrorpix)

Why were blunt force items seized?

The report states there was “no immediate signs or indications of blunt force trauma” but cops are going to “seize any blunt force objects in the event there is any indication of blunt force trauma” if a pathologist determines this to be the case.

Why are police deeming this case to be suspicious?

Cops say there are a multitude of reasons including the “unsecured and opened door, (how) deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female , the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak.“