Gene Hackman‘s death and the death of his wife and dog is puzzling authorities, who have labeled his passing “suspicious.”

According to a search warrant, obtained by TMZ, a Santa Fe detective who sought a search warrant wrote in his affidavit, he believes “the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation 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, 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.”

Breaking this down … Gene’s wife, Betsy, was found in the bathroom on the ground near the countertop, laying on her right side. The deputy saw a black space heater near her head. The deputy believed the heater could have fallen in the event Betsy abruptly fell to the ground.

Gene Hackman once spoke about his fear of dying in a haunting interview that’s now resurfaced … just a day after he, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their dog were found dead at their New Mexico home.

In a 2004 chat with Larry King, Gene admitted he didn’t fear much — but dying definitely freaked him out … adding it’s the kind of thing that hits you when you get up there in age.

Gene, who was 74 at the time, said his fear of dying wasn’t just about him — he wanted to make sure his wife and family were taken care of, too.

We don’t know much about his recent health issues, but regarding his and his wife’s deaths, his daughter told us earlier today that the family believes carbon monoxide poisoning is to blame.

The Santa Fe house is pretty modern, built in 2000. We don’t know if there were any gas leak issues or if there had been any service calls to the address.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza tells us his deps haven’t ruled anything out and are still investigating.

Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, tragically died this week … and their family believes carbon monoxide poisoning is to blame, TMZ has learned.

The legendary actor’s daughter, Elizabeth Jean Hackman, tells TMZ they’re not sure, but they think the cause might be from toxic fumes.

She added law enforcement found no signs of foul play, although Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza tells us his deputies haven’t ruled anything out and are still investigating.

The house is fairly modern … it was built in 2000. We do not know if there were any issues with gas leaks or if there were calls to service at the address.

Mendoza tells us when deputies performed a welfare check at the property Wednesday and found the couple’s bodies, gas company and fire department personnel also responded to make sure there were no toxic fumes that would endanger deputies during their search.

Gene and Betsy were found dead at home on Wednesday, along with one of their dogs, also dead, after a neighbor raised concerns.

Elizabeth gives us more insight into Gene’s life before his passing … saying he and his wife had been living in their New Mexico home since he retired in 2004.

When Gene walked away from Hollywood, he was done for good … spending his retirement painting. She also told us his favorite film was “The French Connection.”

Elizabeth didn’t comment on his health — but he had just turned 95, and in a rare public sighting on March 28, 2024, he was seen walking with a cane and holding his wife’s hand for support.