Film star Hackman and wife could have been dead for days after gas poisoning, says his daughter

THE bodies of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife may have lain undiscovered for days after they were overcome by toxic fumes, their family believe.

- By Christopher Bucktin US Editor

The French Connection and Superman star's daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, said she remained unsure what caused their deaths but thought it might be from a gas such as carbon monoxide.

She said police found no signs of foul play at the home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but had said the bodies of the couple may have been there for some time.

One of their dogs was dead in a kennel. Two other dogs were alive.

Although the police search warrant said there were "no obvious signs of a gas leak", yesterday Tim Korte, of New Mexico Gas Company, said the utility was working with the sheriff's department in the investigation.

Police said the body of Hackman's wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, showed signs of "mummification" when officers executed a search warrant at the secluded home on Wednesday afternoon.

Betsy, 64, was found lying on her right side in a ground-floor bathroom with a black space heater near her head. Officials believe it could have fallen off a counter if she had fallen abruptly.

Police noticed an opened orange prescription bottle left on the counter, with pills scattered on the surface. Hackman, 95, was found in a separate room off the kitchen.