MOVIE NEWS – Official reports from authorities in New Mexico have shed disturbing new light on the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Investigators confirmed that Hackman passed away from heart disease, exacerbated by Alzheimer’s disease, roughly a week after Arakawa succumbed to a respiratory illness caused by a rodent-borne virus known as hantavirus.

The official confirmation of the cause of death for the notoriously private couple ended weeks of intense speculation following the discovery of their bodies on February 26. However, these new findings have triggered additional questions regarding Hackman’s mental and physical condition, as well as why their deaths went unnoticed for so long.

Authorities noted that Arakawa, aged 65, was last active on February 11, completing several errands around town. Due to the absence of any further evidence of activity, investigators speculate that she likely passed away that very day. Hackman, who was 95, is estimated to have died approximately a week later, on February 18, according to Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s Chief Medical Examiner.

Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom of their home near his walking cane, while Arakawa was discovered on a bathroom floor. Investigators noted scattered medications nearby, but these were later determined to be unrelated to her death. A maintenance worker uncovered the bodies on February 26 after becoming concerned when no one answered the door. He subsequently alerted a security guard, who contacted emergency services.

Dr. Jarrell suggested it was possible Hackman, who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, may not have been aware of his wife’s death. The autopsy revealed he had not eaten for some time, though he did not appear dehydrated. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that there was no evidence suggesting Hackman had attempted to reach out for assistance following his wife’s passing.

Hantavirus Infection Responsible for Betsy Arakawa’s Death

The medical examination concluded Arakawa died from complications linked to hantavirus, a dangerous infection transmitted through exposure to rodent droppings, particularly those of deer mice prevalent in New Mexico. The virus typically begins with flu-like symptoms but rapidly advances to severe respiratory distress, heart failure, and pulmonary edema, explained Dr. James Lawler, an infectious disease expert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Although infections are relatively rare, Dr. Erin Phipps, a public health veterinarian in New Mexico, noted that hantavirus carries a high fatality rate in the state, exceeding 40% over the past 50 years. While health inspectors assessed the couple’s primary residence as having a low risk of exposure, they did discover signs of rodent activity in nearby structures on the property.

Unanswered Questions Remain in Hackman’s Final Days

Despite clarifying the medical reasons behind their deaths, authorities concede some mysteries surrounding the tragedy may never be resolved—especially Hackman’s actions and mental state following his wife’s death. Sheriff Mendoza openly acknowledged this uncertainty: “It’s hard to piece together exactly what was happening in that period,” he said. When asked whether Hackman might have been attempting to seek help when he died, Mendoza admitted, “We may never know the answer to that.”

In addition to the couple, authorities discovered their dog, an Australian Kelpie mix named Zinna, deceased from apparent starvation or dehydration. Two German shepherds, Bear and Nikita, survived and are currently safe and cared for. The late couple, who lived reclusively in a gated community near Santa Fe, were known locally for their deep affection for their pets, according to neighbors and local dog caregivers.

Gene Hackman, a celebrated two-time Oscar winner, and Betsy Arakawa, a classical musician and local business owner, had seldom appeared publicly in recent years, maintaining a low profile even within their neighborhood.

Authorities have conclusively ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death and reported that no security camera footage was available from the property, leaving key elements of their final days shrouded in mystery.

Source: The New York Times