Causes of Death Confirmed for Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
New Mexico authorities have released the findings regarding the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home. Hackman, aged 95, passed away due to heart disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a contributing factor. Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome just a few days prior, according to Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell.
Death Investigations and Findings
The couple was found on February 26, although initial investigations indicate that they likely died earlier in the month. The last known activity on Hackman’s pacemaker was recorded around February 18, suggesting his time of death aligns with that date, as stated by Dr. Jarrell at a press briefing.
According to the autopsy results, Hackman showed significant heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s. He was tested for hantavirus but returned a negative result. “He was in a very poor state of health,” Dr. Jarrell noted. “Ultimately, significant heart disease is what resulted in his death.”
Arakawa was believed to have passed away earlier, with February 11 marked as the last date she was seen alive. Dr. Jarrell explained that hantavirus infections can follow a flu-like onset, escalating to severe respiratory distress quickly, which can be fatal without medical intervention.
Understanding Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are globally dispersed, primarily transmitted through contact with rodents. In New Mexico, the most common carrier is the deer mouse. Dr. Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department, noted that the specific strain of hantavirus in the region has a mortality rate between 38% and 50%.
- The virus is contracted through contact with rodent excrement, and symptoms can progress to severe respiratory issues.
- Preventive measures include avoiding contact with or inhaling airborne particles from rodent waste.
- Hantavirus is not transmissible between humans.
The state has recorded only a limited number of hantavirus cases, with seven confirmed infections reported in 2024 alone. In total, 136 infections have been documented in the past fifty years within the state.
Investigation Process
Following the couple’s demise, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office indicated no signs of foul play were present. An initial examination of both bodies did not reveal any external trauma. During a search of the home, authorities discovered Hackman’s body near the kitchen, along with a cane and his sunglasses, while scattered medications were found near Arakawa’s body.
Two of their three dogs were discovered alive, but one dog was found dead, which may have been a result of dehydration or starvation. Investigators ruled out exposure to gas leaks or carbon monoxide as potential causes of death.
Legacy of Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman, an acclaimed actor, won two Academy Awards for his performances in “The French Connection” (1971) and “Unforgiven” (1992). His work left an indelible mark on the film industry, and he was recently honored at the Academy Awards, where actor Morgan Freeman remarked, “Gene always said, ‘I don’t think about legacy. I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’”
As the investigation continues, the community reflects on the lives of Hackman and Arakawa, two individuals who cherished their privacy yet profoundly impacted those who knew them.
