Gene Hackman investigators issue update on cause of death

The actor was found dead alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa last week.

Authorities have said that they still have not found any evidence of foul play relating to his death, with the Express reporting that suicide could have played a role.

Speaking on Sunday, an investigator said: "There is no immediate sign of foul play, although the lack of carbon monoxide has upended the initial theories about how they died.

"We are now looking at whether it could be a death followed by a suicide.

"Did Mr Hackman die suddenly from a heart attack and his wife was so distraught she took an overdose?

“Or could his wife have suffered an acute medical event which caused her death, and then Mr Hackman was in such a state that he had a heart attack and died?

"We are looking at all possibilities.”

Hackman and his wife were found dead on Wednesday, February 26th at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico during a welfare check.

It is believed that the pair had been dead for a while as the bodies had begun to mummify.

His wife was found in the bathroom of the house surrounded by pills for various ailments such as thyroid problems, hypertension and chest pain.

Arakawa was 64 years old, while Hackman was 95.

Toxicology reports could take several weeks to come back according to authorities, while some have indicated that it may take three months for the case to be fully understood.

Tributes were paid to Hackman during the In Memoriam section of last night's Oscars.