Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa's deaths labeled 'suspicious' in Santa Fe detective's search warrant

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: The deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been labeled "suspicious" after their bodies were found at their Santa Fe home alongside their deceased pet dog.

The deaths are "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," according to a search warrant obtained by TMZ.

Santa Fe detective details Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy's 'suspicious' deaths 

Santa Fe detective, who sought a search warrant, wrote in his affidavit that the deaths were suspicious "because the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened."

"Deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, another healthy dog near the deceased female, a deceased dog laying 10-15 feet from the deceased female in a closet of the bathroom," as per the affidavit.

Furthermore, the affidavit stated that "the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened and pills scattered next to the female, the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak."

Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead at separate locations inside the house 

Breaking it down, the detectives discovered Gene Hackman’s body in a separate room off the kitchen while Betsy Arakawa was found in the bathroom lying on her right side, according to the search warrant.

A deceased German Shepherd was discovered 10 to 15 feet away from Betsy's body inside a closet off the bathroom. Two other dogs were found alive and healthy, one inside the home and the other outside.

A deputy at the scene noted the presence of a "black space heater near" Betsy's head, suggesting it could have fallen "in the event Betsy abruptly fell to the ground."

Gene Hackman's wife's body showed signs of 'decomposition'

An open orange prescription bottle was found on the countertop, with "pills scattered" around.

The condition of Betsy Arakawa's body indicated she had been deceased for some time, showing signs of "decomposition with bloating in the face, and mummification in the hands and feet."

Hackman was found in a separate room off the kitchen, as per the report. However, he was "fully clothed," and they suspected he may have suddenly fallen because "his sunglasses were found next to his body."

Carbon monoxide poisoning ruled out as 'cause of death'

After assessing the scene, the fire department concluded there were "no signs of carbon monoxide leak or poisoning."

The New Mexico Gas Company also tested the property’s gas lines, reporting, "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."

Investigators noted that the front door of the home was ajar when maintenance workers discovered the bodies. However, there were "no signs of forced entry," according to the search warrant.

Two maintenance workers, who had not seen the couple in approximately two weeks, found the bodies and called authorities.