The true cause behind the tragic deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been confirmed by New Mexico authorities.
The 95-year-old actor passed away from a condition known as hypertensive cardiovascular disease exacerbated by Alzheimer’s.
Arakawa, on the other hand, died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare illness carried by rodents.
The medical analysis put an end to speculation surrounding the couple’s passing, disproving early theories of the tragedy being the result of a carbon monoxide gas leak.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical investigator, was able to confirm his team’s findings today (March 7), after performing an autopsy on both of the bodies on February 27.
Hackman showed signs of severe heart disease, including prior heart attacks. His body also exhibited no signs of physical trauma.
Investigators were able to deduce a timeline of events, concluding that Arakawa passed away first from Hantavirus on February 11. This virus, carried by rodents, is highly dangerous and can quickly progress to respiratory failure.
The timeline of her passing was traced through emails and surveillance footage, with her last known activity occurring on the day of her death.
The actor, who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s, was unable to realize that his wife had passed.
Unable to receive proper care, his health worsened and his pacemaker data showed his last recorded event a few days later, on February 17.
The couple’s remains were discovered by two maintenance workers who visited their Santa Fe estate on February 26.
Santa Fe County deputies were dispatched to their address and, upon arriving, they discovered the lifeless body of Hackman and his wife, along with their dog.
Hackman was found in a mudroom, surrounded by personal items, while Arakawa’s body was found in the bathroom with unidentified prescription pills scattered nearby.
One of the couple’s dogs, a German shepherd, was found in a closet near Arakawa, as well as two healthy dogs which were successfully rescued.
Hackman, a five-time Academy Award nominee, was a beloved figure in Hollywood. He won Oscars for his performances in 1972’s The French Connection and 1992’s Unforgiven.
After retiring from acting in the early 2000s, he lived a quiet life with Arakawa, a classical pianist, whom he married in the late 1980s.
The tragic loss of Hackman and Arakawa has shocked the entertainment world, with fans and friends mourning their passing, and honoring their legacy.