Gene Hackman Dead: Cause of Death Revealed for Oscar Winner and Wife Betsy Arakawa
Gene Hackman's death was caused by cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of hantavirus, according to the chief medical examiner for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.
Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home in late February. Although the local sheriff's department initially stated there was no indication of foul play, an affidavit released by New Mexico authorities later called the deaths 'suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.'
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Deputies found Hackman and Arakawa, and their dog, deceased during a visit to the couple's house. Per the affidavit, 'the reporting party found the front door of the residence unsecured and opened.'
Per our sister site Variety, it appears that Arakawa died on or around Feb. 11, while Hackman passed about a week later. Hackman had advanced Alzheimer's disease and severe heart disease; his pacemaker showed a cardiac event taking place on Feb. 17, according to the Office of the Medical Investigator.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, hantavirus is a potentially fatal virus spread mainly by rodents.
According to the warrant, maintenance workers found Hackman's body in the house's mudroom, with sunglasses and a cane nearby; an officer on the scene said it looked like he had 'suddenly fallen.' while Arakawa's body was on a bathroom floor. A counter in that bathroom also contained an open prescription bottle, with pills spilled out. Both bodies showed signs of decomposition.
A German shepherd was found dead near Arakawa in the bathroom; two other dogs were found, alive, on the property. Local officials did not find evidence of a gas or carbon monoxide leak in the house.
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