Authorities in New Mexico have confirmed that legendary actor Gene Hackman passed away due to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease cited as a significant contributing factor.
The investigation further revealed that Hackman had likely been alone in his home for about a week before his death, with the last recorded activity on his pacemaker occurring around February 18.
Hackman’s wife, Betsy (Arakawa) Hackman, tragically passed away due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare disease commonly transmitted to humans through rodents.
The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed the cause of her death, ruling it as natural. Investigators estimate she died around February 11, several days before Hackman’s passing.
Autopsy Findings and Health Conditions
A full autopsy conducted by Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell revealed that Hackman suffered from severe heart disease.
The examination showed multiple past surgical procedures on his heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and significant kidney damage caused by chronic high blood pressure. His brain also displayed signs of advanced Alzheimer’s disease, along with vascular changes due to hypertension.
Jarrell indicated that Hackman’s pacemaker data detected an “abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation” on February 18, strongly suggesting that this was the date of his passing. Meanwhile, authorities concluded that Arakawa had likely died a week prior, on February 11.
Her last known public activities included a veterinary visit on February 9, followed by errands at a grocery store, pharmacy, and pet store on February 11.
Surveillance footage confirmed she returned to the couple’s gated community at approximately 5:15 p.m. on that day. Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated during a press conference that this was the last confirmed sighting of her alive.
Hackman’s Condition Before Death
When asked whether Hackman was capable of living independently after his wife’s death, Jarrell noted that the actor was in extremely poor health.
“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” she said. “It’s unclear what his daily functional capabilities were, but he had severe heart disease, and ultimately, that’s what led to his passing.”
The medical examiner did not detect signs of dehydration but found that Hackman had poor kidney function at the time of his death.
Notably, there was no food in his stomach, suggesting he had not eaten for some time. Given his cognitive decline, Jarrell speculated that he might not have been aware that his wife had passed away.
Understanding Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Dr. Erin Phipps, New Mexico State Veterinarian, explained that hantavirus infections occur when humans are exposed to excrement from infected rodents. The disease presents flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can progress to severe respiratory failure and heart complications.
“This occurs after a one- to eight-week exposure to excrement from a specific mouse species known to carry hantavirus,” she explained. Unlike some viruses, hantavirus strains in the U.S. are not transmitted between humans but solely from animals to people.
New Mexico has reported between one and seven cases of hantavirus infection annually, with a total of 136 cases over the past 50 years. Of those, five occurred in Santa Fe County, and 42% of infections in the state proved fatal.
Discovery of the Couple’s Deaths
Hackman and Arakawa, who had been married for more than 30 years, were discovered deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26 by maintenance workers.
One of their dogs, Zinna, was also found dead in a crate. Mendoza noted that the dog may have recently undergone a medical procedure, potentially explaining why it was in confinement at the time of death.
Initially, authorities deemed the couple’s deaths “suspicious enough in nature” to warrant an extensive investigation. However, no external trauma was found on either Hackman or Arakawa. A criminal investigation was subsequently launched but ruled out foul play.
New Mexico officials ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning early in the investigation. The Santa Fe City Fire Department conducted thorough testing at the residence and found no evidence of a carbon monoxide leak.
Additionally, the New Mexico Gas Company performed an in-depth inspection and reported “no significant findings” of gas leaks or other hazardous conditions in the home.
Determining Hackman’s Time of Death
The last recorded activity from Hackman’s pacemaker occurred on February 17, and while initial reports suggested this was his last day alive, Mendoza later clarified that February 18 is a more accurate estimate.
“According to the pathologist, I think it is a very good assumption that February 18 was his last day of life,” Mendoza said during the news conference.
The deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa mark a heartbreaking conclusion to their decades-long partnership. While both passed from natural causes, the circumstances surrounding their final days paint a tragic picture of health decline and isolation.
