Gene Hackman likely died on 17 February, sheriff says

US investigators are trying to establish how Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, died after the discovery of their bodies at their home in the US state of New Mexico.

Officials said on Friday that evidence points to Hackman having been dead since 17 February - 10 days before the couples' bodies were found.

Here is what we know so far about the death of a Hollywood legend known for such films as The French Connection and The Conversation.

Warning: this article contains details some readers may find upsetting

The bodies of the couple and one of their dogs were found by police on Wednesday at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a maintenance worker called emergency services.

In a recording of the 911 call obtained by the BBC, the emotional caller can be heard telling a dispatcher how he found the two bodies.

Hackman, 95, was discovered in a side room near the kitchen while Arakawa, 65, was found in a bathroom, at the property on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park.

The couple appeared to have been "dead for quite a while", said Sheriff Adan Mendoza.

Arakawa's body showed signs of "decomposition", and "mummification" in the hands and feet, a sheriff's detective said.

Hackman's remains "showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent" with those on his spouse.

A German Shepherd dog owned by the couple was found dead in a bathroom closet near to Arakawa.

No cause was given in police statements immediately after the announcement of the deaths.

The authorities reported no signs of injury but deemed the deaths "suspicious enough" to investigate and did not rule out foul play.

A carbon monoxide poisoning test came out negative for both Arakawa and Hackman, the Santa Fe Sheriff's office said on Friday.

Near Arakawa's head was a portable heater, which the detective determined could have been brought down in the event that she had abruptly fallen to the ground.

An autopsy and toxicology tests have been requested for both Hackman and Arakawa. Authorities said it could be a few months before the results of those are released.

The local utility company found no sign of a gas leak in the area and the fire department detected no indication of a carbon monoxide leak or poisoning, according to the search warrant.

A prescription bottle and scattered pills lay on the bathroom countertop close to Arakawa's body. Prescription pills found in the home were common medications for thyroid and high blood pressure, according to a search warrant.

Hackman was discovered wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers. Sunglasses and a walking cane lay next to his body.

The detective suspected that the actor had suffered a sudden fall.

The circumstances of their death were deemed "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation", the search warrant says, because the worker who called emergency services had found the front door of the property open.

However, the detective observed no sign of forced entry into the home. Nothing appeared out of place inside.

"There was no indication of a struggle," said Sheriff Mendoza. "There was no indication of anything that was missing from the home or disturbed, you know, that would be indication that there was a crime that had occurred."

Two other, healthy dogs were discovered roaming the property - one inside and one out.

Authorities said Hackman's pacemaker last registered activity on 17 February, adding that this gives them a good assumption that was his last day of life.

But police said it is unclear who died first - Hackman or Arakawa.

The two maintenance workers who found the couple, one of whom called the emergency services, say they last had contact with the couple two weeks earlier.

The two said they had sometimes conducted routine work at the property, but rarely ever saw Hackman and Arakawa.

They had communicated with them by phone and text, primarily with Arakawa.

Hackman's daughter Leslie Anne Hackman told the Mail Online that her father had been in "very good physical condition" despite his age, and had not undergone "any major surgeries" in recent months.

"He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week," she said. "So he was in good health."

The couple, married in 1991, had had a "wonderful marriage", she added.

"I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive,' she said. '[Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health."