The Oscars paid tribute to Gene Hackman Sunday night, days after he and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home.

After an Oscars tribute from co-star Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman's death remained a mystery in the second week of the investigation.

Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead inside their home on Feb. 26. Authorities deemed the deaths "suspicious" and are investigating.

The Oscar winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead with one of the family's three dogs by maintenance workers last week.

"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,