In Santa Fe, New Mexico, a tragic chapter closed on the life of acclaimed actor Gene Hackman. The legendary figure in cinema spent his final years away from the public eye, accompanied by his wife Betsy Arakawa. Both faced significant health challenges, with Hackman battling heart disease and Alzheimer’s, authorities revealed.
At the age of 95, Hackman’s last days were overshadowed by illness, with officials reporting his passing from heart disease just a week after Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus, an uncommon but lethal illness. The couple’s demise and the circumstances surrounding it present a sorrowful account of Hackman’s declining final days.
Evident signs of advanced Alzheimer’s potentially left Hackman unaware of his wife’s death, one week prior to his own. Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical investigator, described Hackman’s poor health, heavily influenced by his heart condition. The absence of recognition about Arakawa’s passing reflects the impact of Alzheimer’s on his cognition. Dr. Michael Baden, a seasoned pathologist, emphasized Hackman’s incapacity to process his wife’s demise in his last week due to his fragile state.
Residing in seclusion, Hackman and Arakawa’s private life contributed to the delay in discovering their deaths. By the time they were found, the couple’s bodies had begun decomposing, accelerated by Santa Fe’s dry and elevated environment. Sheriff Adan Mendoza indicated that their reserved lifestyle added complexity in piecing together their final days. Hackman’s stomach revealed absence of recent food, though he was not dehydrated, suggesting he might have ceased to eat after Arakawa’s departure. No evidence was found of Hackman attempting to reach out to others post her passing.
Stuart Ashman, an acquaintance and co-owner of a local gallery, expressed his sorrow, recalling intimate exchanges with Hackman at a local Pilates studio. Reflecting on the situation, he regretted that more attention wasn’t given to the couple amid their isolation.
Betsy Arakawa’s death was attributed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare condition transmitted through contact with infected rodent waste. Before her demise, she had run errands, visiting places like the grocery and pet stores before returning home. Investigators noticed signs of rodent presence on their property, though the exact source of infection remains undetermined. Symptoms resembling the flu may have preceded her death, Jarrell explained. Hantavirus is noted for causing serious respiratory infections, with most U.S. cases emerging in the western part of the country.
Gene Hackman, revered for portraying a spectrum of characters in various film genres, had retreated from his illustrious career. Despite infrequent public appearances, Hackman and Arakawa opted for a reclusive lifestyle in Santa Fe, a place where many artists find refuge. The two met in the 1980s and established a home with panoramic views, marking the beginning of their shared life in New Mexico.
In the initial years of his relocation, Hackman was frequently seen within Santa Fe, even contributing as a trustee for the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum up until 2004. Although he maintained a small circle, Hackman occasionally ventured downtown, leaving an indelible mark on those who encountered him.