Actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and their canine were sadly discovered dead in their New Mexico residence on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. The cause of death remains undetermined, though it has been confirmed by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza that no signs of foul play were observed.

As news spread, speculation about the cause of death quickly surfaced online, with many users suggesting carbon monoxide poisoning. One social media user commented, “Gene Hackman. Rest in peace legend. An all-time great. Mississippi Burning, Superman, Unforgiven, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, etc. They’re saying no foul play, so it probably has to be carbon monoxide poisoning…?.” Another wrote, “RIP Gene Hackman. Given what has come out so far, I’m going to assume it was carbon monoxide or some other gas leak. Stay safe in your house!”

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Others raised concerns over the dog’s death, which led some to hypothesize that carbon monoxide poisoning could be the culprit. One commenter remarked, “Everyone is asking why the dog if there’s no foul play suspected, and the only thing I can think of off the top of my head is carbon monoxide or perhaps leaving the gas on by mistake.”

Additional speculation came from another user who shared, “They say no foul play. If two people and a dog died, it sounds like carbon monoxide poisoning. My cousin’s aunt died because she thought her car was off, and the garage was attached to the house. Gene Hackman was a great actor—condolences to his family.”

Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in New Mexico

In New Mexico, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is more common in the winter months since individuals use heaters and furnaces for heating. The New Mexico Department of Health reported that there were 73 deaths due to carbon monoxide in the state from 2017 to 2021.

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In instances of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, authorities recommend seeking fresh air right away. The University of New Mexico advises opening windows and doors, switching off fuel-burning appliances, and vacating the building for safety.

The reason behind Gene Hackman and his wife’s fatal death is still under investigation, and more updates are likely to be forthcoming as events unfold.