An autopsy revealed Gene Hackman passed away from complications related to heart problems and Alzheimer’s disease. Sadly, it appears the Oscar winner lived in his New Mexico home alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa’s dead body for a week before he passed away. According to ABC News, authorities believe Gene died on February 18, and Betsy passed away on February 11 from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease contracted through rodent Bernice, droppings, or saliva.
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“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the state’s Office of the Medical Investigator, said during a news conference. “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.”
BREAKING: Gene Hackman's cause of death is "Hypertensive and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor." Betsy Hackman died of "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, the manner of death is natural," chief medical examiner says pic.twitter.com/nhzCEOnlm0
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) March 7, 2025
It Appears Gene Hackman May Not Have Known Betsy Arakawa Died
Heather Jarrell explained that Gene “was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s, and it’s quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased.” She added that the “question is difficult to answer.”
Investigators found Gene Hackman’s “initial pacemaker data revealed cardiac activity on February 17, with subsequent pacemaker interrogation demonstrating an abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation on February 18, which was the last record of heart activity,” the medical examiner explained.
Sadly, it appears that Betsy’s last communication with anyone occurred around February 11. After that date, her emails all remained unread, ABC News reported.
Many people commented on Gene Hackman’s tragic death on ABC News’ X post.
One person wrote, “It doesn’t make sense. Gene Hackman eating, sleeping, walking around for seven days with his wife’s dead body in the house?? Without calling anyone??”
This person theorized, “So it looks like the family dog ate a rodent that had hantavirus, which passed that to the wife. So they both died and because of Gene’s degenerative medical state he couldn’t survive on his own.”
Another shared, “Now it makes more sense. She was the caretaker of Alzheimer patient. She died and 7 days later without her care he died too. Sad actually. RIP.”
This story’s featured image is by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage via Getty.
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