New Mexico authorities say preliminary autopsy results didn't determine how Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife died, but did rule out carbon monoxide.

Gene Hackman, who was known for films like "The French Connection" and also for his performance as Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeves-led "Superman" film in 1978, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home this past week.

As in past years, the In Memoriam segment of Sunday’s Oscar telecast quickly became controversial because of the stars who were left out of the montage, notably ‘Gossip Girl’

"This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend," said Freeman, who worked with Hackman in two films, including 1992's Unforgiven, which won Hackman his second Oscar. "Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone's work,

Gene Hackman was honored at the Academy Awards by his 'Unforgiven' co-star Morgan Freeman: "Our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend."