His Wife Dead, an Ailing Gene Hackman Found Himself Alone in House for Days, Authorities Believe

What about Arakawa?

Betsy Arakawa appeared to go about her normal routine in early February. She ran errands around Santa Fe while wearing a face mask. She visited a Sprouts grocery store, CVS pharmacy, and a pet store while emailing her massage therapist, officials said.

Investigators now believe she died two days later on Feb. 11. Her body was later found in the bathroom of the home she shared with her husband, actor Gene Hackman. Prescription pills were scattered on a nearby countertop.

What do we know about Hackman’s death?

Heather Jarrell, chief medical examiner at the medical investigator’s office, performed the autopsy on Hackman and said his brain showed “advanced Alzheimer’s disease as well as blood vessel changes in the brain secondary to chronic high blood pressure.”

“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,” Jarrell said.

When asked whether Hackman’s Alzheimer’s disease prevented him from being able to tell if his wife was dead, Jarrell could not say.

“I think that question is difficult to answer, but I can tell you that he was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s, and it is quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased,” Jarrell said.

What do we know about how the couple was found?

They were found by a pair of maintenance workers in their housing community shortly before 2 p.m. on Feb. 26.

The workers then notified a community caretaker, who went to the home and then called 911.

The caretaker didn’t have all the information when he called but said he was looking through a window at two bodies lying on the floor inside.

The caller can be heard on the 911 audio telling the dispatcher that he could see what appeared to be two motionless bodies inside the house. Shaken, he repeatedly says “damn” and urges authorities to rapidly respond.

What do we know about hantavirus?

The condition is rare but deadly — with a mortality rate between 38% and 50% among those infected in the American Southwest, Jarrell said.

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread by rodent feces, saliva, and urine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most hantaviruses found in the United States can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Conclusion

The investigation into the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has shed light on the tragic circumstances surrounding their passing. The couple’s bodies were found in their Santa Fe home, with Hackman having lived alone for several days following his wife’s death. The presence of hantavirus, which is spread by rodents, has been identified as a possible factor in Arakawa’s death.

FAQs

Q: How did the couple die?

A: Gene Hackman died from heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, while Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus, which is spread by rodents.

Q: How was the couple found?

A: They were found by maintenance workers in their housing community, who then notified a community caretaker, who called 911.

Q: What was the cause of the dog’s death?

A: The cause of the dog’s death is unknown.

Q: What is hantavirus?

A: Hantavirus is a rare but deadly condition caused by a family of viruses spread by rodent feces, saliva, and urine. It can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and has a mortality rate between 38% and 50% in the American Southwest.