Gene Hackman was 'dead for nine days' before being discovered 'decomposing'

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead in their Santa Fe mansion on Wednesday (26 February), had likely been dead for over a week before being found.

The retired actor, 95, resided in New Mexico, USA after calling time on a seasoned career, which included roles in over 70 films.

Adan Mendoza, the Sheriff of Santa Fe county, originally stated: "We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail," adding that they did 'not believe that foul play was a factor.'

The couple were found mummified in separate rooms in their home.

Hackman was found in a 'mudroom' with his sunglasses and cane on the floor, while Arakawa was found in the bathroom with bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet, according to a search warrant obtained by the Daily Mail.

As the cause of death is currently unknown, authorities stated that the case was 'suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation'.

At a press conference yesterday (28 February), Sheriff Mendoza revealed that Hackman's pacemaker's last event was recorded on 17 February, while confirming that there was no carbon monoxide in their bodies.

He said: "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption, that that was his last day of life."

This would mean that the 95-year-old may have been lying dead for nine days before being discovered.

The couple may have been dead for over a week before being found (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

He had previously explained on the Today show, on Friday morning: "It’s very difficult to put a timeline together even with the help of the office of the medical investigator.

“Just based on their body and other evidence on the body, it looked — it appears [that they were deceased for] several days, even up to a couple of weeks.”

The revelation that neither had carbon monoxide in their bodies means that the suggestions from Elizabeth Jean Hackman, the actor's daughter, that the pair died of a leak, was incorrect.

Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya had also not ruled it out as a cause of death, though it was initially found that there were 'no signs of a gas leak'.

The front door was open and unsecured when they were discovered, while one of their three dogs had also died.

Their bodies were found partially mummified (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Santa Fe's Sheriff further revealed that pills found next to Arakawa's body in the bathroom she was found were 'very important evidence', as the information was passed to a medical investigator to find out more.

"So we’re looking at that specifically and other medications that were possibly in the residence. So that is something of concern," he explained.

Despite being 'pretty confident' that no foul play was involved, he added: "But of course, we’re not ruling anything out."

The high-profile pair were found by two maintenance workers, who said they had not seen the couple for two weeks prior.