Gene Hackman and wife’s cause of death revealed weeks after passing

Friday

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Cprrespondent/Producer

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Cprrespondent/Producer)

Following weeks of speculation and investigation, the cause of the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, is coming to light. Hackman reportedly died of cardiovascular disease while Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Investigators believe Arakawa died first on Feb. 11, and Hackman’s pacemaker stopped transmitting activity on Feb. 18.
The cause of death of their dog, Zinna, has not been revealed.

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Weeks after their mysterious deaths, there’s finally an answer to the cause of deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. It appears his wife died nearly a week before him.

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During a press conference, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator said that the 95-year-old Hackman died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Advanced Alzheimer’s was also listed as a contributing factor.

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Arakawa, 65, died about a week earlier due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The rare but serious respiratory disease is caused by the Sin Nombre virus, which spreads through contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.

As one of their dogs, Zinna, was also found dead, the medical examiner noted that dogs cannot contract hantavirus. It also cannot be passed from person to person.

Timeline of their final days

Investigators believe Arakawa died first. She picked up Zinna from a veterinary hospital on Feb. 9.

On Feb. 11, she went to a farmers market, CVS, and a pet store before entering their gated community at 5:15 p.m. The last known contact with Arakawa was Feb. 11.

The prescribed pills scattered in the bathroom where she was found were Tylenol and medications used to treat her thyroid and high blood pressure. The medical examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, said the pills did not contribute to her death.

Days later, on Feb. 18, Hackman’s pacemaker stopped transmitting activity. There was no food in his stomach and no signs of dehydration.

A maintenance worker discovered their bodies in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Feb. 26. Reports suggest Hackman, due to his Alzheimer’s, may not have been aware of his wife’s death.

Hackman’s legacy

Hackman, known for his roles in “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” retired from acting in 2004. His passing marks the loss of one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.

The couple had lived a quiet life in New Mexico for years.