The French Connection star Gene Hackman, his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog had all been found dead in their home in the Santa Fe summit community northeast of the city.

Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Womack-Avila said on Thursday morning that deputies replied to a welfare check request at the home around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The welfare check had been conducted after a neighbor called authorities, worried about the Hackman’s and Arakawa’s wellbeing.

The Santa Fe County police found the actor and his wife dead on Wednesday afternoon. Right after midnight on Thursday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza verified that they died, along with their dog.

Mendoza said in an interview Wednesday evening that there was no immediate hint of foul play, though the sheriff’s office stated that an investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, the Santa Fe county sheriff did not offer a cause of death or say when Hackman, who died at 95, and Arakawa may have died. 

The actor made his final appearance in Donald Petrie‘s Welcome to Mooseport, after which he retired at 74. He is also known for his roles as Lex Luthor in the Superman franchise and the titular Royal Tenenbaum in Wes Anderson‘s The Royal Tenenbaums.

In 2012, Hackman made headlines for slapping a homeless man who insulted his wife.

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Article by Alessio Atria

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