The actor and his wife were found dead in their home on February 26
A timeline of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa’s deaths has been revealed.
On February 26, Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were tragically found dead in their New Mexico home, along with one of their three dogs.
Reports later revealed that the couple had likely been deceased for some time before their bodies were discovered. Concerned for their well-being, a neighbor alerted police, prompting a welfare check that led to the heartbreaking discovery.
Initial speculation pointed to a possible carbon monoxide leak, as suggested by Hackman’s daughter. However, during a press conference on March 7, authorities confirmed that the couple died from unrelated causes at different times.
Chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell announced that Hackman, 95, died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a significant contributing factor.
As for Arakawa, Dr. Jarrell confirmed her cause of death as Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, adding that her passing was classified as natural.
Dr. Jarrell further explained, “Autopsy examination and full-body post-mortem CT revealed no signs of trauma, either internally or externally, with microscopic findings consistent with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome,” regarding the late classic pianist, Betsy Arakawa.
In an even more heartbreaking update, it appears that due to Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s disease, it’s unlikely he was aware of his wife’s passing in the days leading up to his own death.
When asked during the press conference whether Hackman knew of Arakawa’s death, Dr. Jarrell responded, as reported by The Independent: “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’s quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased.”
It’s believed that Gene Hackman passed away on or around February 18, several days before he and his wife were discovered.
At a press conference, Dr. Jarrell shared, “Mr. Hackman’s initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on February 17, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation showing an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on February 18, which was the last record of heart activity. Based on this information, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Hackman probably died around February 18.”
As for Betsy Arakawa, it’s thought that she passed away on February 11, as that was the last time she was confirmed to be alive.
