Heartbreaking twist in Gene Hackman tragedy as cops release new details about acting legend's final days after wife died

The Sun

28-04-2025

THE final autopsy of Gene Hackman tragically revealed that the Hollywood icon had not eaten for an extended period of time before his death.
Heartbreaking video showed the moment Santa Fe Sheriff's officials arrived at Hackman 's estate in New Mexico on February 26 to find the 95-year-old actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, dead.
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The bodies of the longtime couple were found mummified in different sections of their expansive property before it was determined that Hackman and Arakawa died almost a week apart.
An official autopsy report ruled that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease that is transmitted from exposure to rodent urine, droppings, and saliva.
An autopsy for Hackman determined that the Academy Award -winning actor died from significant heart disease, with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor.
Hackman, who tested negative for hantavirus, had a history of congestive heart failure and severe chronic hypertensive changes, according to the report.
The medical report also showed that Hackman had no food in his system and had traces of acetone, which is consistent with prolonged fasting.
Arakawa is believed to have died around February 12, while Hackman died around February 18.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said that due to Hackman's advanced Alzheimer's disease, it was possible he did not know his wife had died and that her body was in their home.
HEARTBREAKING FIND
Bodycam footage released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office showed the moment deputies arrived at the puzzling scene, where one of the couple's German Shepherd dogs was guarding Arakawa's body.
"Poor guy, he's sad," one of the deputies can be heard saying in the video.
A separate video showed the moment investigators find Hackman's body in a separate section of the property.
Heartbreaking footage of Gene Hackman's wife Betsy in last hours alive wearing mask while she shopped in pharmacy
"Two totally separate areas of the house," a deputy said as another responded, "Mhm, it's strange."
One of the couple's three dogs was also found dead in a crate in a bathroom closet near where Arakawa was found.
The other two dogs were alive as one is heard barking in the background.
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FINAL SIGHTING
Two weeks before the shocking discovery, Arakawa was captured on surveillance footage keeping herself busy, running errands on February 11.
Video showed Arakawa, wearing blue jeans, a dark coat, a scarf, and a black face mask, at a Sprouts Grocery Market self-checkout, purchasing groceries at around 4 pm.
Minutes later, Arakawa was then seen on video stopping by Shine Pet Food store.
The videos showed Arakawa was unaccompanied as she entered and exited the businesses without any glaring health ailments.
The surveillance videos were part of a trove of documents released by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office on April 15 as part of their investigation into the deaths of Hackman and Arakawa.
Included in the recently released records were emails, phone calls, and internet searches by Arakawa, which indicted she had been scouring for information on flu-like symptoms and breathing techniques.
Between February 8 and the morning of February 12, Arakawa searched on her computer for medical conditions related to Covid-19 and flu-like symptoms.
The searches included questions about whether Covid-19 could cause dizziness or nosebleeds.
In an email to her therapist on February 11, Arakawa said Hackman had woke up that morning with flu and cold-like symptoms but tested negative for Covid-19.
In her message, she asked her therapist to reschedule her February 12 appointment for the following day "out of an abundance of caution."
Gene Hackman's family's full statement
Gene Hackman's family has spoken out on the actor's death after he was found dead with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe home.
Hackman's daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and his granddaughter, Annie, released the statement.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," Elizabeth, Leslie, and Annie Hackman said.
"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa.
"We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."