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.

The last event recorded on the actor's pacemaker was on Feb. 17, nine days before his body was discovered in his home alongside his wife and dog.

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