Gene Hackman dies from heart disease days after wife's hantavirus death

Actor Gene Hackman (95) died from Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease after living with the body of his wife, Betty Hackman (Betty Arakawa, 65), who died from a rare rodent-borne disease.

The shocking cause of death of actor Gene Hackman and his wife has been revealed after their bodies were found together.

An autopsy revealed that Gene Hackman suffered from severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and progressive Alzheimer's disease, while his wife, Betty Hackman, was found to have died from pulmonary syndrome caused by hantavirus spread through rodent feces.

Heath Jarrell, the chief medical examiner in New Mexico, said on the 7th (local time) that both deaths were ruled natural causes with no evidence of internal or external trauma. Earlier, the children speculated about a gas (carbon monoxide) leak, but police ruled out this possibility after the investigation.

Additionally, it was confirmed that Betty Hackman died from hantavirus, which can be transmitted to humans through rodent urine, saliva, and feces. It appears her last public communication via email took place on February 11.

Meanwhile, the last activity recorded from Gene Hackman's heart pacemaker was on February 17. The examiner concluded that it was reasonable to say Gene Hackman, who had no food in his stomach at death, died the following day. He added that it was reasonable to conclude that his wife, Betty Hackman, had passed away first. It is likely that Gene Hackman spent several days alone at home with his deceased wife. He also indicated that Gene Hackman might not have been aware of his wife's death.

Near Gene Hackman's body were sunglasses and a cane, suggesting he may have fallen before his death.

The Hackman couple was found dead together in a state of decomposition at their Santa Fe home on February 26. A pest control worker called the neighborhood security guard when he visited the couple's home but did not get a response, prompting authorities to dispatch to the scene.

According to a search warrant affidavit reviewed by People, Gene Hackman was found collapsed in the home's mudroom, while his wife was discovered in the bathroom. Pills were scattered around Betty Hackman's body, confirmed to be prescribed for treating thyroid issues.

The couple's dog was found dead in a closet a few feet away from Betty Hackman. Their dog, discovered dead near his wife, was reportedly brought home after undergoing surgery at a veterinary hospital on February 9.

Fortunately, the other two dogs are healthy.

According to sources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were no signs of rodent activity in the couple's dwellings, but some outbuildings on the property, such as the garage, contained rodent droppings and other evidence of rodent activity. Hantavirus cases are relatively rare, but up to 42% of cases in New Mexico are known to be fatal.

Gene Hackman was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, appearing as villains and heroes in numerous dramas, comedies, and action movies from the 1960s until retiring in the early 2000s. Throughout his decades-long career, he won Academy Awards twice for his performances in the films 'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven.' After retiring in Hollywood in 2004, he began a quiet life in Santa Fe with his concert pianist wife, having been married for 30 years. He had three children with his first wife, Fay Maltese. After retirement, Gene Hackman spent much of his time away from Hollywood's social scene, painting or writing novels. He mentioned in a 2020 interview with Empire that he enjoyed watching DVDs borrowed by Arakawa.

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