Gene Hackman's loyal dogs led first responders to his dead body when the legendary actor and his late wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found in their New Mexico home last month, USA TODAY reports.

Bear and Nikita, the two surviving dogs shared by the couple, were suspected to have been wandering around the Santa Fe property for days before authorities arrived at the scene. First responders noticed strange behavior from the canines as one continuously barked before running away toward the other end of the house, leading the charge to a mudroom where Hackman was found lying on the floor near his cane and sunglasses.

Hackman, 95, was reported to have died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's as a factor, while Arakawa, 65, was reported to have died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, New Mexico State Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed. Betsy is suspected to have died first as all outgoing communication from her cellphone and email ceased on February 11, the last day she was spotted publicly, while Gene is suspected to have died on February 18, as it was the last day his pacemaker registered data, though Dr. Gerald specified that there was no reliable scientific method to determine an exact time for either death.

A third dog, Zinna, was found dead inside a locked crate by first responders. Officials reiterated that foul play was not suspected in the Hackmans' deaths and the scene was tested for carbon monoxide, with only a minute leak found that was deemed to be insignificant.

Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, and his wife were married for 34 years. Police reportedly found the couple at around 1:45 p.m. local time on February 26. Hackman's legendary acting career spanned more than 60 years, providing an everyman believability to numerous iconic roles, including playing Jimmy Doyle in The French Connection (1971) and Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven (1992), which won him the Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

The California native was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for roles in Bonnie & Clyde (1968) and I Never Sang for My Father (1971), as well as Best Actor for Mississippi Burning (1989). Hackman is also remembered for playing arch villain Lex Luthor in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), as well as Coach Norman Dale in Hoosiers (1986) and Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) among numerous other iconic roles.

Jeffrey T. Mason