Three of Hackman’s children confirmed the death of their father and Ms Arakawa in a statement to the BBC.

“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 said.

Warning: This story contains details some readers may find upsetting

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office shared early details of of Hackman and Ms Arakawa’s deaths.

“On 26 February, 2025, at approximately 1:45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and a dog were found deceased,” the office said.

A police detective who responded to the scene said that they believed the couple had been dead for some time because of Ms Arakawa’s “decomposition” and “mummification” in the hands and feet.

“The male decedent also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent,” said the search warrant.

Near Ms Arakawa’s head was a portable heater, which the detective determined could have been brought down in the event that the woman abruptly fell to the ground.

A prescription bottle and scattered pills were on the bathroom countertop close to her body. The couple’s German Shepherd dog was found dead in a bathroom closet near to Ms Arakawa.

Hackman was discovered wearing grey sweat pants, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers. Sunglasses and a walking cane were next to the body.

The detective suspected that the actor had fallen suddenly.

The circumstances of their death were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation”, said the search warrant, because the person who called emergency services found the front door of the property open.

But nothing appeared out of place inside, according to the detective. There was no indication the home had been rummaged through, or that any items had been removed.

Two other, healthy dogs were found roaming the property – one inside and one outside.

The local utility responded and found no sign of a gas leak in the area. The fire department detected no indication of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, according to the search warrant.

The detective spoke at the scene to two maintenance workers, one of whom had called the emergency services.

The two workers said they sometimes conducted routine work at the property, but rarely ever saw the couple.

They indicated that they communicated with them by phone and text, primarily with Ms Arakawa.

The two workers said they last had contact with the couple two weeks beforehand.