Gene Hackman, the Oscar-winning actor, died in February at 95, just days after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 64, passed away from hantavirus, a rare virus spread by rodents, an official report has revealed.
It would be recalled that their bodies were found in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on February 26. Autopsy has revealed that Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer’s, died of heart disease, while Arakawa’s death was caused by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
According to police, Arakawa likely died on February 11, based on her last email, and Hackman passed on February 18, as determined by his pacemaker activity. The couple had lived in Santa Fe since the 1980s, where they were part of the local art and culinary communities, but in recent years had become reclusive due to Hackman’s declining health.
The police report noted that both appeared to have collapsed suddenly, with no signs of foul play or blunt force trauma.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza suggested that Hackman, due to his Alzheimer’s, may not have been aware of his wife’s death.
A caretaker discovered the couple’s bodies; Hackman was found in the kitchen, and Arakawa in a bathroom, along with one of their dogs, which likely died of starvation. Health inspectors noted rodent activity outside the home, but found no evidence inside.
Hackman, famous for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven, had a long and distinguished career, winning two Oscars.
