Hollywood legend Gene Hackman has passed away at the age of 95, with authorities confirming his death was due to heart disease, which was likely exacerbated by advanced Alzheimer’s disease. His death came a full week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in their New Mexico hillside home. Authorities revealed on Friday that Hackman was likely unaware of his wife’s passing due to his deteriorating mental state.
Hackman and arakawa’s tragic final days
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator ruled both deaths to be from natural causes. Speaking at a press conference, Dr Heather Jarrell, the state’s chief medical examiner, stated that Hackman was in a very poor state of health, suffering from significant heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s.
“He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death,” Dr Jarrell said.
Hackman and Arakawa’s bodies were discovered on 26 February in their Santa Fe residence. Authorities found no evidence of foul play, and initial tests ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning.
Investigators believe that Arakawa, 65, was last seen alive on 11 February, when she visited a pharmacy, pet store, and grocery shop before returning home to their gated community. A week later, on 18 February, Hackman’s pacemaker recorded an abnormal heart rhythm, suggesting that was the day he passed away.
“It’s quite possible he was not aware that she was deceased,” Dr Jarrell noted.
Alzheimer’s likely left Hackman unable to seek help
Medical experts say Hackman’s Alzheimer’s disease played a crucial role in the tragedy.
“You are talking about very severe Alzheimer’s disease, where most patients would be in a nursing home or require a full-time caregiver, but she was taking care of him until she passed away,” said Dr Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner.
With his mental faculties significantly impaired, Hackman was unable to react to his wife’s sudden death. His own condition, coupled with his heart disease, led to his passing within days.
When their bodies were found over a week later, Hackman was in the entryway of their home, while Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom. Due to Santa Fe’s dry climate and high altitude, both bodies showed signs of decomposition and partial mummification, making it difficult to determine the exact times of death.
Arakawa’s death from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Authorities confirmed that Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by rodent droppings.
“Hantavirus cases are most common in spring and summer, often when people come into contact with mouse droppings in homes, sheds, or poorly ventilated areas,” Dr Jarrell explained.
This was New Mexico’s first recorded hantavirus case of the year. While the exact timeline of Arakawa’s illness remains unclear, health officials noted that the virus can cause a rapid decline in respiratory function.
Authorities found thyroid medication prescribed to Arakawa near her body, but Dr Jarrell stated it did not contribute to her death.
Mystery surrounding the couple’s dogs
Investigators also found one of the couple’s three dogs dead, locked inside a crate in a bathroom closet. However, two other dogs survived.
“Dogs do not get sick from hantavirus,” explained Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department.
The cause of the dog’s death remains under investigation, with a necropsy pending. Authorities are also examining personal cellphone data retrieved from the home before formally closing the case.
Shock and sorrow among friends and fans
Friends and admirers of Hackman have expressed their shock and sorrow at the tragic circumstances of his passing. Stuart Ashman, co-owner of the Artes de Cuba gallery, was devastated to learn of the actor’s fate.
“All of us that knew him should have been checking on him,” he said. “I had no idea. It’s just really sad. And that she died a week before him. My God.”
Forensic experts support the official findings, noting that the timeline of events and Hackman’s medical condition align with the authorities’ conclusions.
“Their explanation was quite clear and plausible,” said Dr Victor Weedn, a forensic pathologist. “They really discovered what truly happened in this case.”
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Hackman’s illustrious career and life with arakawa
Gene Hackman was one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, winning two Academy Awards during a career that spanned over four decades. He starred in iconic films such as:
- The French Connection (1971) – which won him an Oscar for Best Actor
- Hoosiers (1986) – where he played a beloved basketball coach
- Superman (1978) – where he portrayed the infamous villain Lex Luthor
Hackman retired from acting in the early 2000s, choosing to focus on painting and writing novels. He remained largely out of the public eye, spending his final years in Santa Fe. He also served on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and invested in local businesses.
Betsy Arakawa, originally from Hawaii, was a concert pianist who studied at the University of Southern California. She met Hackman in the mid-1980s while working at a California gym, and the two shared a deep bond for nearly four decades.
A tragic end for a Hollywood icon
Hackman and Arakawa’s deaths mark a heartbreaking end to a storied Hollywood career and a long-standing love story. The circumstances of their final days—a fatal virus, a degenerative disease, and an inability to seek help—paint a tragic picture of their last moments together.
As tributes pour in, fans remember Gene Hackman not just as a brilliant actor, but as a man who left an indelible mark on cinema. His passing, alongside his devoted wife, is a sombre reminder of the fragility of life.
