Hollywood icon Gene Hackman's close friend Doug Lanham said he's 'having a hard time understanding' the mystery behind the star and his wife Betsy Arakawa's death.
Oscar-winning actor Gene, 95, and his wife Betsy, 65, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Wednesday, February 26. The couple were found deceased in separate rooms by police after the emergency services were called to the property. Betsy's body was found next to a heater, which could have fallen on her.
Police are now said to be interested in the bottle of prescription pills located near the classical pianist's body. It has since emerged that the actor's pacemaker last picked up a recording on February 17, hinting that he lay dead in his home for 11 days. One of their dogs was also found dead.
A few days after his death, Gene's close friend Doug, 76, shakily revealed he 'just can't process what took place'. He explained: "We’d all kind of expected it, he’s 95, and in some of the pictures towards the end there he was looking frail. But to read and hear what took place, I still have a hard time understanding."
Speaking to MailOnline, he said the couple were 'so dignified and so in love with each other'. When he heard the news of their deaths, he 'lost it'. "I'm kind of a mess sometimes," he added.
At a press conference held at 3pm local time on Friday, Sheriff Adan Mendoza revealed Gene and his wife Betsy were tested for carbon monoxide poisoning, the results showed no sign of carbon monoxide. He added: "An autopsy was performed. Initial findings noted no external trauma to either individual. The manner and cause of death has not been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are pending."
It comes after Hackman's family said they suspected carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death. Elizabeth Jean Hackman, their daughter, shared with TMZ on Thursday that while the exact cause is uncertain, they believe toxic fumes may have played a role in their deaths.
In a new development of the investigation, it was revealed cops are set to quiz Gene's three children as they try to discover the actor and his wife’s last movements. The star is survived by the three children he had with his ex-wife, Faye Maltese: Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 63, and Leslie, 58.
Elizabeth and Leslie were photographed looking sombre a day after the couple's bodies were discovered – as Leslie revealed she hadn't spoken to her dad in months.
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