The Evil Genius wrote: Fri Mar 07, 2025 4:41 pm
Authorities revealed today that Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died of hantavirus.
Apparently he had shown severe signs of alztheimers and was in poor health to begin with.
Gene Hackman and His Wife Died of Natural Causes, Investigators Say
The actor Gene Hackman died from heart disease at his home in New Mexico about a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from the effects of hantavirus, which causes a respiratory illness and is associated with rodent droppings, the authorities said on Friday.
Alzheimer’s disease was a contributing factor to Mr. Hackman’s death, Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, said at a news conference announcing the causes of death.
Mr. Hackman, 95, was found on the floor of the mudroom in the couple’s home, near his cane, while Ms. Arakawa, 65, was found on a bathroom floor, beside a counter with pills scattered about. They were not discovered until eight days after Mr. Hackman’s pacemaker indicated that he had died.
One of the couple’s three dogs was found dead in a crate not far from Ms. Arakawa’s body.
Dr. Jarrell said that the pills found near Ms. Arakawa were thyroid medication and were not associated with her cause of death.
Ms. Arakawa was last seen alive on Feb. 11. Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County said she was seen on surveillance video at a pharmacy that afternoon and returned to her home that evening. He said that her email communication ceased after that day.
“Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed away first, with Feb. 11 being the last time that she was known to be alive,” Dr. Jarrell said, using Ms. Arakawa’s married name.
She said Mr. Hackman likely died on Feb. 18 based on the last activity from his pacemaker — eight days before the bodies were found.
Mr. Hackman’s autopsy showed severe heart disease, Dr. Jarrell said, including evidence of prior heart attacks and multiple surgical procedures involving the heart. He tested negative for hantavirus.
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Sad that Gene Hackman was in such bad shape that he couldn't even call for help after his wife died, and struggled on his own for another week.