Nine days have passed since Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe home
Officials have now confirmed how Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died.
The world is mourning the loss of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his longtime partner, 65-year-old classical pianist Arakawa, whose bodies were discovered last Wednesday (February 26) at their Santa Fe, New Mexico home.
During a press conference today (March 7), Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell officially confirmed the causes of their deaths.
“Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95, passed away due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor,” Dr. Jarrell announced.
As for Arakawa, Dr. Jarrell revealed that he succumbed to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, classifying his passing as “natural.”
Hantavirus is a rare yet dangerous infectious disease that starts with flu-like symptoms but can escalate quickly, leading to severe lung and heart complications.
The shocking loss of the Oscar-winning actor and his gifted partner has left fans and loved ones heartbroken, marking the end of an era for Hollywood and the world of classical music.
Addressing the circumstances of Arakawa’s passing, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell provided further details on his autopsy findings.
“The autopsy examination and full-body post-mortem CT revealed no internal or external trauma, with microscopic findings consistent with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,” Dr. Jarrell stated.
She confirmed that laboratory tests for Hantavirus came back positive, with confirmation from the Scientific Laboratories Division. Meanwhile, tests for COVID-19, influenza, and other common respiratory viruses, as well as carbon monoxide exposure, all returned negative.
Dr. Jarrell also noted that no other significant natural diseases were found, and while thyroid medication and pills were present at the scene, they were taken as prescribed and are “not currently a concern for a contributory cause of death.”
Officials estimate that Arakawa passed away on February 11, while Hackman is believed to have died a week later.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that the case will remain an “open investigation” until all “loose ends” are officially resolved.
A search warrant from Santa Fe police previously revealed that Gene Hackman and his partner had been deceased for ‘some time’ before their discovery, with their bodies found in separate rooms of their $3.8 million estate.
Authorities also confirmed that the couple’s dog had died under similar circumstances, though two of their other dogs remained in good health.
According to Daily Mail, data retrieved from Hackman’s pacemaker indicated he was still alive as of February 17, with a recorded ‘last event’—nine days before their bodies were found.
Hackman, 95, was discovered in the mudroom, a space typically used for storing wet or dirty footwear and clothing. Meanwhile, Arakawa was found in the bathroom, where an open prescription bottle and scattered pills were seen on the countertop.
Adding to the mystery, police noted several ‘suspicious’ circumstances at the scene:
- The front door was left unlocked, as reported by two maintenance workers who made the discovery.
- While one of the couple’s dogs had died, two others were found healthy.
- A bottle of prescription pills lay open and spilled near Arakawa’s body.
- Hackman was found lying next to a walking stick and a pair of sunglasses.
With unanswered questions still lingering, the case remains under active investigation as authorities work to piece together the final days of the Hollywood icon and his partner.
