SANTA FE, N.M. — Heartbreaking findings were disclosed by forensic experts Friday regarding the demise of veteran actor Gene Hackman. The investigation revealed that Hackman succumbed to heart disease compounded by Alzheimer’s and an empty stomach a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, lost her life due to a rare rodent-borne illness at their Santa Fe residence.
Maintenance and security personnel discovered the couple’s partially mummified bodies on February 26, leading to a police notification. Arakawa, aged 65, is believed to have passed away on February 11, afflicted by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and potentially lethal condition spread through rodent droppings. Hackman, at 95 and in the throes of advanced Alzheimer’s, seemingly did not comprehend his wife’s passing.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator, remarked upon Hackman’s severe health condition, particularly his pronounced heart disease, as the probable cause of his death. She noted the possibility that he was oblivious to Arakawa’s death, emphasizing, “It’s quite possible he was not aware she was deceased.” Both deaths were ultimately categorized as stemming from natural causes.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County disclosed that Arakawa’s last known activities included running errands on February 11, visiting a pharmacy, pet store, and grocery before retiring that evening. She ceased responding to emails on that day. The couple’s cellphone data is yet to be fully analyzed.
Evidence from Hackman’s pacemaker suggests his demise occurred on February 18, the last recorded day of his abnormal heart rhythm. His remains were located near the home’s entryway, while Arakawa’s were found in a bathroom. Due to the dry climate at Santa Fe’s altitude of nearly 7,200 feet, their bodies showed signs of decomposition and mummification.
News of the couple’s deaths reverberated through Santa Fe, a haven for artists and celebrities. Stuart Ashman, co-owner of the Artes de Cuba gallery and Hackman’s acquaintance from a local Pilates studio, lamented, “All of us that knew him should have been checking on him. It’s just really sad. And that she died a week before him. My God.”
Specialists assert Hackman’s impaired state from Alzheimer’s prevented him from comprehending Arakawa’s death or seeking help. Dr. Victor Weedn, a forensic pathologist from Virginia, praised the authorities’ clear and plausible explanation of the events.
In America, it is common for older individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias to reside at home, often with care from relatives or friends. Hantavirus commonly appears in the U.S. during spring and summer, mainly in the western states, but this case marked the first confirmed occurrence in New Mexico this year.
While it remains uncertain how quickly Arakawa succumbed to the virus, the presence of rodent activities in areas such as homes and sheds can escalate risks. Despite hantavirus affecting humans, dogs remain unaffected by it. Nevertheless, a necropsy will be conducted on one of the couple’s dogs, Zinna, discovered deceased nearby. The investigation continues as authorities gather necropsy results and analyze the data from the recovered cellphones.
Gene Hackman, a Hollywood symbol, was a recipient of two Oscars during his illustrious film career with notable works such as “The French Connection,” “Hoosiers,” and “Superman” until his early 2000s retirement. Arakawa, of Hawaiian origin, was a concert pianist with a background at the University of Southern California who met Hackman in California during the mid-1980s. Hackman spent his retirement painting and writing novels in seclusion from Hollywood, while serving on the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum board and investing locally with Arakawa.
