SANTA FE, N.M. — Betsy Arakawa, who was known for her career as a concert pianist and for being married to the legendary actor Gene Hackman, passed away due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, as outlined in a detailed autopsy report unveiled on Tuesday.
The report detailed that her lungs were heavily congested and weighed down significantly.
Additionally, the autopsy highlighted the presence of fluid in Arakawa’s chest cavity and mild stiffening of the vessels that facilitate blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body.
Hantavirus is regarded as a rare, yet potentially lethal, disease primarily spread through the droppings of infected rodents.
Moreover, the report emphasized that Arakawa tested negative for both COVID-19 and influenza and showed no signs of any external trauma.
Her carbon monoxide levels were stated to be normal, and her system revealed traces of caffeine while testing negative for alcohol and intoxicating substances.
The release of Arakawa’s autopsy and toxicology documentation came just two days after the publication of similar reports concerning Hackman’s demise, which cited heart disease as the principal cause of his death.
The 95-year-old actor was also found to be in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and he seemingly had not consumed any food for a considerable length of time, the autopsy indicated.
Notably, Hackman tested negative for hantavirus, dismissing initial concerns related to the disease.
Earlier inquiry records exposed Arakawa’s attempts to seek information through calls and internet searches about flu-like symptoms and respiratory exercises.
Recently made public video materials illustrate the depth of the investigation concerning the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.
Authorities recorded themselves conducting interviews with acquaintances and repeatedly revisited Hackman’s property in pursuit of further evidence.
In early March, detectives thoroughly searched the premises for Arakawa’s laptop and other potential insights that could illuminate the circumstances surrounding their deaths.