By Benno Schwinghammer

Santa Fe (New Mexico/USA) - The deaths of world-famous US actor Gene Hackman ( †95 ) and his wife Betsy Arakawa ( †65 ) went unnoticed for days . Now more details have emerged.

The bodies of US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa lay unnoticed in their home for at least nine days, according to the sheriff in charge of the investigation.

An analysis of Hackman's pacemaker revealed that it had stopped working on February 17, Sheriff Adan Mendoza said at a press conference. It is therefore reasonable to assume that this was the last day of the Oscar-winning actor's life.

Initial results of an autopsy leave many questions unanswered. According to Mendoza, the test to check for possible carbon monoxide poisoning in the couple was negative. There was also no evidence of external violence.

"The manner and cause of death have not yet been determined. The official results of the autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending," said Sheriff Mendoza.

The senior police officer had previously said in an interview that the investigation into the background to the mysterious deaths was in full swing. Particular attention is being paid to a tablet container that was discovered near Arakawa's body. This was a "very important piece of evidence" and "worrying", said Mendoza.

The two dead bodies were discovered in the property on Wednesday by a janitor - Arakawa's body was lying on the bathroom floor, Hackman's lifeless body in the entrance area. A dead dog was also found, but two other dogs were alive. The animals are safe.

According to a search warrant, the front door was slightly ajar.

The sheriff's department described the circumstances as "suspicious enough" to launch a full investigation, even though no crime is suspected.

According to the sheriff, it may be some time before the final results of the autopsies are available.