Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, have passed away due to natural causes, as confirmed by officials on Friday. The couple was found deceased in their New Mexico residence on February 26 under unusual circumstances.
Hackman succumbed to complications from heart disease about a week after Arakawa Hackman died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. On Friday, the Santa Fe County chief medical examiner reported that Gene Hackman’s death was classified as natural.
The 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa Hackman, age 65, and one of their dogs, were discovered dead in their home. Initial reports indicated that their deaths were suspicious enough to prompt a thorough investigation, as they had been deceased for a considerable time.
During a press conference held by the Santa Fe County Sheriff, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell stated that Hackman died due to complications related to both heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Arakawa Hackman succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a serious illness caused by a virus typically transmitted by infected rodents and rarely spread between humans.
Both fatalities have been classified as natural. Earlier reports indicated that pills had been discovered on-site, which Jarrell clarified were prescription thyroid medications and posed no concern.
Jarrell mentioned that this situation was unprecedented for her office, prompting her to ensure accurate information was made public. She had also communicated the autopsy findings with Hackman’s family before the press conference. Arakawa Hackman reportedly collapsed in the bathroom of their New Mexico home and deteriorated quickly as fluid accumulated in her lungs due to the virus. Jarrell noted she does not believe Arakawa Hackman remained conscious for long after her collapse.
Due to Hackman’s advanced state of Alzheimer’s, Jarrell indicated that he likely spent over a week at home with his deceased wife prior to his own passing. She expressed uncertainty about whether he was aware of her death or if he attempted to seek assistance.
“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease—I’m unsure of his typical daily functioning capability,” Jarrell commented during the press conference. “He was in a very poor health state with significant heart disease, which likely led to his death.”
Jarrell found no signs of dehydration in Hackman but noted that there was no food present in his stomach at the time of death. The dog found deceased alongside them had been crated after undergoing a recent medical procedure, with its necropsy results still pending.
