Officials have released the cause of death for Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Authorities investigating the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have suggested that the legendary actor may have been unaware of his wife’s death for almost a week.
The couple’s bodies were found in separate rooms of their sprawling Santa Fe mansion on February 26th, with one of their dogs also found deceased on the property.
Speaking in a press conference held on Friday, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell said that Hackman’s cause of death was due to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease “as a significant contributory factor.”
Dr Jarrell also suggested that Hackman died around February 18th, with his partner’s last known movements coming seven days earlier.
Arakawa was seen going to a CVS pharmacy and a dog food shop on February 11th, and she didn’t have communication with anyone after carrying out those errands – with unopened emails stacking up from this date.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Jarrell stated that Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which likely occurred almost a week before her husband’s death.
Explaining the rare infection, Jarrell explained it shows up as flu-like symptoms but can progress to “shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure.”
In a heartbreaking update, she explained that it was “quite possible” that Hackman was unaware that Arakawa had died, due to his increased Alzheimer’s condition.
“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”
“It’s quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased,” she added.
Hackman passed away nearly a week after his wife
When asked whether Hackman would have been able to survive on his own, Dr Jarrell said: “I’m not aware of what his normal daily functioning capability was.
“He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that is what resulted in his death.”
It was also confirmed that Hackman was found with no food in his stomach, meaning that he likely had not eaten for some time prior to his death.
Police have said that Hackman was found dead in the house’s mud room, with his cane and sunglasses near him on the ground.
Arakawa was discovered lying on the bathroom floor with prescription pills strewn across the nearby countertop.
One of their dogs was also found dead on the property, while two others were discovered roaming around.
Police are still piecing together the couple’s last movements and are speaking to several people, including the actor’s children, Christopher, 65, Elizabeth Jean, 63, and Leslie, 58, who he had with his ex-wife Faye Maltese.
