Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s dog likely died of dehydration and starvation as new report released

A probable explanation over the death of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's pet dog has been delivered in a new report.

The high-profile couple who lived solitarily in New Mexico's city of Santa Fe were both found dead in their home last month, with partial mummification having taken place due to the length of time it took for police to discover their bodies.

Also at the tragic scene was their Australian kelpie mix Zinna (short for Zinfandel), who was found dead in a bathroom closet crate, and two surviving dogs named Bear and Nikita.

In a newly published Department of Agriculture document obtained by The Associated Press, it's revealed what likely caused Zinna to sadly lose her life.

The couple were found dead in their home last month (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Fresh from New Mexico's D.o.A veterinary laboratory, the report claims that severe decomposition may have obscured alterations in the dog's organs, yet there's no evidence to suggest infectious disease, poisoning or trauma killed Zinna.

Her stomach was empty apart from small bits of hair and bile, while Zinna's site of death was close to Arakawa's (who died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, passed on by rodents). The report says the dog likely died due to dehydration and starvation.

Santa Fe Tails pet care business owner Joey Padilla, who is currently taking care of the surviving animals, described the trio of loyal canines as 'Betsy's babies' in an interview with The Associated Press, and that Zinna specifically was 'always attached at the hip' to her loving master.

The couple were described as 'true animal lovers' (Facebook)

Meanwhile, a local Fire Chief named Brian Moya recently informed USA Today that upon arriving at Hackman and Arakawa's residence, first responders were frantically ushered over to the bodies of the deceased owners by Bear and Nikita.

"They realised (the dogs) were trying to say, 'Hey, come over here! Come over here!'" Moya recounted.

Hackman, who's said to have shown evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease at the time of his death, was found in the mudroom of their home.

The late couple were married for 34 years (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

New Mexico's chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said at a press conference: "He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his in his death.

"Mr Hackman's initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on 17 February, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on 18 February, which was the last record of heart activity.

"Based on this information, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr Hackman probably died around 18 February.

"Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms Hackman passed away first with 11 February being the last time that she was known to be alive."