'No significant findings' for gas leaks, carbon monoxide at Gene Hackman's home: report
A gas company said there were "no significant findings" at the Santa Fe, New Mexico home of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, who were found dead inside with their dog on Feb. 26.
Fox News Digital reported that New Mexico Gas Company confirmed conducting an extensive investigation for gas leaks and carbon monoxide at the couple's home early evening shortly after the bodies were discovered.
"There were no significant findings. NMGC did issue five (5) red tags. One red tag was for a minuscule leak (0.33% gas in air–not a lethal amount) at one of the stove burners," it said.
"The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations—not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide—involving a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces."
NMGC also found "no signs or evidence" of pipe problems in or around the house.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, in a press conference on Feb. 28, confirmed that Hackman and Arakawa tested negative for carbon monoxide.
On Feb. 26, first responders found the house's door unlocked and open. Pills were scattered next to Arakawa's body, which was in the bathroom.
Hackman's body, fully clothed, was found in another room. A pair of sunglasses was next to his body, indicating a sudden fall.
A German Shepherd was found dead in the bathroom, and two other healthy dogs were in the house.
Investigators were trying to piece together a timeline through the couple's planners and phones, searching for any video that might hint at the couple's movements over the last few weeks.
But it was a complicated task, compounded by their low profile.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was credited for intense performances of everyman characters inspired by his troubled upbringing, notching up dozens of movie credits extending into his 70s.
He is perhaps best known as vulgar New York cop Jimmy Popeye Doyle in the 1971 crime thriller The French Connection, for which he won an Oscar for best actor.
He won another golden statuette two decades later for best supporting actor for his portrayal of the brutal small-town sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett in the 1992 western Unforgiven.
He earned three more Oscar nominations during a five-decade career in which he appeared in 80-odd films.
