Santa Fe authorities have confirmed that legendary actor Gene Hackman passed away due to heart disease at the age of 95, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. His death came just a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but often fatal disease spread through rodent droppings.
The couple’s bodies were discovered on February 26, prompting an immediate investigation. Officials ruled out foul play early on, and carbon monoxide poisoning tests came back negative. However, investigators suggested that Hackman may not have been aware of his wife’s passing due to his advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell stated. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”
Hackman was found in the entryway of their home, while Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom, where authorities found an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the counter. The timeline of her passing remains unclear.
A Rare but Deadly Disease
Arakawa’s cause of death, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, is a severe respiratory illness that is transmitted through exposure to infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Cases are more frequently reported in the spring and summer, particularly in poorly ventilated areas like sheds, attics, or cabins where mice may be present.
Symptoms of hantavirus infection can appear one to five weeks after exposure and include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, eventually progressing to severe respiratory distress.
Investigation Continues
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County announced the findings alongside state fire and health officials at a recent news conference. Authorities retrieved personal items from the couple’s home, including a monthly planner and two cellphones, in an effort to piece together the final days of the Hollywood icon and his wife.
Hackman, known for his legendary career in film, including roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums, had been largely out of the public eye in recent years. The couple had lived a quiet life in New Mexico, where they had been married for over three decades.
Their deaths mark a tragic end to a love story that lasted more than 30 years, with Hackman passing just days after losing his wife—perhaps unaware that she had already gone.
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