We dont have any answers, and were just dealing with the loss, Barbara Lenihan tells PEOPLE
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in 1994. Photo:Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawas deaths took even their friends by surprise.
Days after the legendary actor, 95, and his wife, 65, and their dog were found dead in their home California home on Wednesday, Feb. 26, details about their death remain unclear especially for those who were close to them.
At a press conference on Friday, Feb. 28, the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Department said Hackmans pacemaker was last operational on Feb. 17, suggesting that Hackman had been dead for nine days before he and his wifes bodies were found.
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Gene Hackman holds his Oscar at the 65th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
According to a search-warrant affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE, Arakawa was found in the bathroom, next to a space heater and an open bottle of pills. The pills included an unspecified thyroid medication, Tylenol, and diltiazem, a medication used to treat high blood pressure. Two dogs who were alive were also found at the home.
Family friend Barbara Lenihan tells PEOPLE that Betsy was in perfect health and she was so fit.
Gene was 95, and for all I know it was prescription medicine. We do not know what happened. I know the medias making a bunch out of it, but we have no idea, says Lenihan. I dont know if it was carbon monoxide. They say no, but the door was open and they could have been there for a couple weeks.
Gene Hackman & wife Betsy Arakawa during The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
During Fridays press conference, police said the couple tested negative for carbon monoxide, causing it to be ruled out as the cause of the couples deaths. They said authorities are still awaiting autopsy and toxicology results.
Police said Arakawas body showed signs of mummification, leading to the belief that she had likely been dead for some time. Hackmans body also showed similar obvious signs of death.
Lenihan tells people that she and her husband, Daniel understood Hackman was getting quite old, making them try to prepare ourselves for Genes [departure] but we are just stunned. Were stunned about Betsy.
Gene Hackman attends the Next House ESPN The Magazine party on February 4, 2005. Evan Agostini/Getty
She says that their death is more mysterious all the time.
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We dont have any answers, and were just dealing with the loss, she adds.
