A medical investigation into the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has revealed that he likely passed away one week after hantavirus claimed the life of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, according to a report by Variety.
The update concerning the couple's passing, which was initially considered "suspicious" in a search warrant issued late last month, comes from New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell. Jarrell confirmed that Hackman, aged 95, died from cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease also contributing to his death.
It is believed that Arakawa, aged 65, succumbed to hantavirus on February 11, 15 days before her and Hackman's bodies were discovered in their New Mexico home. The CDC describes hantavirus as a family of viruses capable of causing severe illnesses and even death, primarily spread by rodents like mice and rats.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza, in a recent news conference, mentioned that security camera footage showed Arakawa visiting a local Sprouts market and CVS on the day of her death. She had also spoken with a massage therapist that same day. Hackman's pacemaker recorded its last activity on February 17, indicating he passed away one week after Arakawa. The couple, along with their deceased dog, were found in separate rooms with no evidence of a gas leak. Subsequent autopsies confirmed negative results for carbon monoxide.
The news of Hackman and Arakawa's passing sent shockwaves through the film community when it was reported on February 27. Hackman, celebrated for his roles in films such as Superman, The French Connection, Unforgiven, and many others, won two Oscars during his illustrious career. He retired from acting in 2004, following advice from his doctor to avoid putting additional stress on his heart, as he revealed in an interview with Empire.
For a deeper dive into Hackman's cinematic legacy, you can explore our list of his 20 best films.
