Gene Hackman 's pacemaker was last operational on Feb. 17, the Santa Fe County Sheriff said Friday afternoon, suggesting the Oscar-winning actor had been dead for nine days before he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were discovered in their New Mexico home.

Unseen for much of the last two decades, Hackman won Oscars for The French Connection (1971) and Clint Eastwood ‘s Unforgiven (1992), and was Oscar-nominated for roles in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), I Never Sang for My Father (1970), and Mississippi Burning (1988). Awards notwithstanding, the respected and admired Hackman had a wide range.

Authorities said there were no obvious signs of foul play but the circumstances of their deaths warranted further investigation.