Gene Hackman’s Daughter Reveals What She Believes Led to Father’s Unexpected Death

His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was also found dead in their New Mexico home

Elizabeth Jean Hackman, the middle child of the late Gene Hackman and his ex-wife Faye Maltese, has broken the family’s silence on the untimely death of their dad and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

While an investigation is underway to determine the couple’s cause of death, the 62-year-old told TMZ that the family has suspicions about what led up to the discovery of the Superman star, 95, Arakawa, and one of their three dogs dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

They can’t know for sure, but Elizabeth and her siblings suspect that carbon monoxide is the reason for their deaths. Police responded to a welfare check called in by the couple’s neighbors, only to find that they’d been dead for at least a day—though it’s not known what caused enough concern for them to make the call.

She also confirmed that law enforcement found no evidence suggesting foul play so far. However, Sheriff Adan Mendoza has not officially ruled anything out at this point in the investigation.

Elizabeth didn’t offer any insight into her dad’s health at the time of his death, though in his final public sighting almost a year ago, he was spotted using a cane as a mobility aid.

In addition to Elizabeth, Gene is survived by his eldest child, son Christopher, and a younger daughter, Leslie. He and Arakawa did not share any kids. As the family is actively getting their affairs in order, details for a memorial service have not been finalized yet.

Elizabeth and Leslie, along with granddaughter Annie, issued a statement to Parade, writing, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”