Gene Hackman’s Santa Fe neighbours said that “something is not right” with his and his wife’s deaths as they “wanted answers”.

Aerial views show area where Gene Hackman lived close to

The neighbours of late Hollywood star Gene Hackman have said that they “want answers” over his and his wife’s deaths. The 95-year-old actor and his partner Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found dead in their Santa Fe home alongside one of their dogs earlier this week – but what led to their demise is still shrouded in mystery.

Responding to the grim discovery earlier this week, which occurred nine days before they were found, the police were notified by a caretaker’s urgent call for help. The distressing 911 audio has since been made public. New Mexico authorities are currently investigating the triple tragedy – which saw two of the family’s dogs survive whatever had happened. Residents in the local area have been grappling with the mystery of what happened to the couple, with them claiming that “something isn’t right” with the heartbreaking scenario.

Gene Hackman was found dead aged 95 (Image: Getty)

Nedret Gürler, a Santa Fe resident for more than three decades, told the Guardian: “Everybody is really sad – we hold on to our community here. There’s so much sadness in our world and [this] felt like another bright light dimmed. There’s something wrong about it. We all want answers.”

It could be up to six weeks for any answers to emerge about Hackman’s death, a spokesperson for New Mexico medical investigator’s office revealed.

Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza said they are yet to rule out any possibility related to the tragic triple death. Double homicide, suicide, accidental death or natural causes are all being considered.

Cops are struggling to put together a timeline for Hackman and Arakawa’s last movements due to their reclusive life. Mendoza admitted: “That’s one of our challenges because of their privacy,” as they’re currently sifting through phone records and trying to contact friends and family, as well as neighbours.”

Gene’s wife, Betsy, was also found dead (Image: Getty)

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The police are trying to find any information from witnesses or friends of Hackman and Arakawa. On Friday, Sheriff Adan Mendoza gave an update on the investigation at a press briefing.

He said: “We’re going to go through the planner. We’re contacting workers, maintenance workers, family members, security. We’re going to be talking to security. There’s in and out that’s, I believe, is documented. So we’re working with them to try to determine, you know, when the last contact was, and that’ll help us put together that timeline.”