As authorities investigate the causes of deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, close and longtime friends of the couple say they seemed to be in good health at their last encounter.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told NBC's “Today” show that investigators were trying to sort out conflicting stories about the doors. He said several doors were unlocked and a rear door was open, which allowed two dogs that survived to go in and out. He also said he thinks the front door was closed but unlocked.

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa are believed to have died around nine days before their bodies were discovered, investigators say. The couple were founded dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the early hours of February 27 after a maintenance worker called emergency services.