Gene Hackman, the esteemed actor renowned for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” was found dead alongside his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe residence on Wednesday afternoon.

The couple’s dog was also found dead at the scene. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the discovery Thursday midnight, stating there were no immediate signs of foul play.

The exact causes of death have not been disclosed, and investigations are ongoing.

The Guardian reported:

In a statement to the Santa Fe New Mexican, County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, were found dead on Wednesday afternoon in their home in the Santa Fe Summit community northeast of the city.

It quoted the police department saying: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday.” The Press Association confirmed there is an “active investigation’’ into the deaths. Sheriff Mendoza said there was no immediate indication of foul play. He did not provide a cause of death or say when the couple might have died.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the couple’s home in a gated community called Old Sunset Trail on Wednesday afternoon to investigate the deaths of two elderly people and a dog. It was unclear whether the deputies were responding to a report of the deaths or if they were making a welfare check at the home.

[…]

“All I can say is that we’re in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, waiting on approval of a search warrant,” the sheriff said Wednesday evening, before his agency had positively identified the pair.

“I want to assure the community and neighbourhood that there’s no immediate danger to anyone,” he said.