Police investigate death of Hackman and wife

An investigation is under way into the deaths of the Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, the pianist Betsy Arakawa, after their bodies were found "in a state of decomposition" along with that of one of their dogs in their New Mexico home, the local sheriff's department has said.

- Ed Pilkington, Benjamin Lee, Catherine Shoard

The local gas provider, the New Mexico Gas Co, was involved in the investigation alongside the Santa Fe county sheriff's department, the Associated Press reported, raising speculation that carbon monoxide poisoning lay behind the deaths.

But the emergence later yesterday of a search warrant cast doubt on a possible gas leak and raised alternative questions about prescription pills found near Arakawa's body.

Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 63, were found by deputies in their house in the Hyde Park area of Santa Fe on Wednesday. The sheriff's spokesperson said that foul play was not suspected, "however the exact cause of death has not been determined".

The spokesperson said the cause of death was unlikely to be known until autopsies were completed.

Further questions were raised yesterday after TMZ and Variety obtained a search warrant which gave new details about what deputies found on their initial visit. According to the outlet, the search warrant revealed that Hackman and Arakawa had been dead for some time before their bodies were discovered as "the body was in a state of decomposition with bloating in her face and mummification in her hands and feet".

A prescription bottle was also found on a countertop in the house, with pills scattered around. According to the search warrant, Arakawa was found on the floor of a bathroom near the countertop beside a space heater the deputies believe could have toppled and knocked her over.

Hackman's body was in the utility room of the house, fully clothed in grey sweatpants and a long-sleeve T-shirt, and a cane. Deputies believe he might have had a sudden fall.