BREAKING NEWS Harrowing new detail in Gene Hackman wife's autopsy revealed after she was killed by rat-borne virus
Harrowing new details have emerged from Gene Hackman 's wife's autopsy after she died from a rat-borne virus.
Legendary actor Hackman, 95, and wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead and partially mummified in their Santa Fe mansion on February 26 2025.
After much speculation, it was revealed Arakawa had died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in their bathroom days before Hackman passed.
Per her autopsy report, Arakawa had fluid accumulation in her chest and mild hardening of the vessels that supplied blood to the heart and body at the time of her death.
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Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Gene Hackman had 'huge fight with drivers who recognised and harrassed him'
In the months following Gene Hackman's tragic death at age 95, a previously unknown altercation from his later years has come to light from a former pal Months after Gene Hackman 's tragic death at 95, a wild story from his final years has come to light involving a minor car crash, a roadside brawl, and a surreal moment of self-awareness. Doug Lanham, a close friend who met Hackman in 2004 at his Santa Fe restaurant, revealed the incident in a new interview. He recalled: 'There was a time Gene was coming down where he was living [in LA]. These guys recognised him, and they started harassing him a little bit.' According to Lanham, after being rear-ended at a light, Hackman refused to back down: 'Gene being Gene, puts it in drive, goes forward, puts it in reverse and then whacks them.' Things escalated at the next light. 'Two of them get out of the car and Gene gets out of the car, and they go for it.' When Lanham later asked how he fared, Hackman gave a typically dry, cinematic reply: 'Well I was on my back and I kinda looked up over my head and there's a bus stop with a poster and there I was on the poster! And I was like, 'Hackman what the hell are you doing?'" he told the Daily Mai l. Hackman, best known for The French Connection and Unforgiven, retreated from public life after retiring in 2004. He and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home earlier this year. Autopsy results painted a picture of a man in declining health: Hackman had long battled congestive heart failure, had a bi-ventricular pacemaker since 2019, and suffered from advanced-stage Alzheimer's. He also had 'severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease,' with multiple heart surgeries and damage from earlier heart attacks. Tragically, Arakawa passed first, likely around February 12, due to complications from Hantavirus - a rare illness linked to rodent droppings. A report confirmed she had been researching flu-like symptoms in the days before her death. Hackman, who tested negative for the virus, died days later, on February 18, likely unaware his wife had already gone. A heartbreaking scene awaited police: their dog guarding Betsy's body, notes exchanged between the couple scattered through their home, and photographs of their beloved German Shepherds throughout the house. A subsequent health inspection found rodent infestations across eight outbuildings on their property, including sheds, garages, and even vehicles. Inspectors also discovered traps throughout, indicating the couple had been struggling with the issue for some time. Authorities later confirmed the property posed a hantavirus risk to first responders who entered it.
Daily Record
03-05-2025
- Daily Record
Gene Hackman's secret unmarked grave after £62m inheritance snub
Gene Hackman was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in New Mexico, beside his wife Betsy Arakawa, two months after his death. Hollywood legend Gene Hackman has been laid to rest in an unmarked grave in New Mexico, following the tragic deaths of both himself and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, whose partially mummified bodies were discovered at their Santa Fe mansion in February. The 95-year-old Oscar winner was buried beside Betsy, with a private ceremony organised by his children, despite the fact they were excluded from his will, according to MailOnline. The pair were only able to be buried two months after their deaths due to the extended nature of the investigation, with the funeral held quietly away from public view, reports the Irish Star. Hackman's £62 million estate has since become the subject of legal uncertainty. While his assets were originally intended to pass to successor trustees, those individuals have also since died, prompting an emergency court petition to appoint a temporary replacement, granted by a judge due to the unforeseen situation. Hackman's children, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie, were not named as beneficiaries in his will, yet legal experts suggest they may still inherit his estate. California lawyer Tre Lovell told the BBC, "The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit." The beloved actor had previously opened up about the strain his career placed on his home life. Speaking to the New York Times in 1989, he reflected: "You become very selfish as an actor. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me." Authorities have now confirmed Hackman died from severe heart disease complicated by Alzheimer's, passing away just a week after Betsy. His autopsy report provided a stark insight into his final days, with medical examiners detecting 5.3 mg/dL of acetone in his system, a level far higher than the typical maximum of 0.3 mg/dL. The presence of such a high concentration suggests he may have stopped eating in the wake of his wife's death. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The toxicology report revealed that acetone is "also a product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion," leading to the conclusion that Gene's elevated levels could point to extended fasting. Further examination cleared up initial concerns about a possible gas leak, confirming that carbon monoxide levels were within normal limits. This brought relief to Gene's family, who had feared that such a leak may have contributed to both his and Betsy's untimely deaths. Betsy's own passing was linked to a rare but deadly illness, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which is contracted through contact with infected rodent droppings. A health inspection of their home revealed a significant rodent infestation, with numerous deceased rodents found on the property, likely leading to her fatal exposure.
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Gene Hackman's secret burial and cryptic unmarked grave after £62m inheritance snub
Gene Hackman was laid to rest in New Mexico, two months after his death, next to his wife Betsy Arakawa. But his children, who made the arrangement, laid him in an unmarked grave Gene Hackman's burial details were finally revealed as he was laid to rest after he and his wife were found dead and partially mummified in their mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico in February. At the age of 95, Hackman's final resting place is in New Mexico, where he lies next to his spouse Betsy Arakawa, but his grave was left unmarked. His final farewell was orchestrated by his children who were excluded from his will, as reported by the MailOnline. Hackman's substantial £62m million fortune was the centre of controversy. Initially, his estate was to be transitioned to successor trustees, who have also since deceased. An emergency petition to temporarily shift the successor trustee was filed and approved by a judge due to the unforeseen circumstance. Upon the sudden demise of his wife, there's uncertainty regarding the inheritance of Hackman's assets; notably, his children, —Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie Hackma, were not named as beneficiaries. Despite being overlooked in the testament, they could potentially be regarded as rightful heirs by default. According to Tre Lovell, a California lawyer speaking with the BBC, "The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit." Gene openly spoke about the tensions between his acting career and home life, revealing to the New York Times back in 1989, "You become very selfish as an actor. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition, it was too much for the poor boy in me." The extensive nature of the investigation delayed their burial, rendering them unable to be laid to rest until two full months after their passing, with the funeral proceedings being conducted in strict privacy, reports Irish Star. Authorities have now confirmed that Hackman passed away due to severe heart disease worsened by Alzheimer's complications, a cruel week following his better half's departure. The particulars extracted from Gene's autopsy report offer a glimpse into his sombre last days, particularly noting the presence of acetone within his digestive system. This suggests that in the aftermath of Betsy's death, whom he deeply depended on, he may have abstained from eating right up to his own end. According to sources, Gene's body harboured an acetone level of 5.3 mg/dL—a stark contrast to the nominal peak blood levels typically around 0.3 mg/dL—pointing to a prolonged period of fasting before his death. Sadly, Besty fell prey to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a lethal disease transmitted through contact with contaminated rodent waste. A thorough health inspection subsequently uncovered numerous deceased rodents scattered across their property, which likely resulted in her exposure to the deadly illness.
