Gene Hackman Passes Away from Heart Disease; Wife Succumbs to Hantavirus Just a Week Earlier, Say Authorities
Hantavirus is a rare yet extremely deadly virus, according to federal health officials.
On Friday, authorities reported that actor Gene Hackman passed away due to Alzheimer’s and heart failure, just one week after his wife succumbed to hantavirus, a rare viral infection.
Authorities initially dismissed foul play after the couple’s bodies were found on February 26 in their Santa Fe home. A bottle of pills was located next to his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning also returned negative results.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, the chief medical examiner, stated in the press conference that Hackman was in “very poor” health following his wife’s death.
According to Dr. Jarrell, Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
“Given the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that Ms. Hackman passed away first,” Jarrell commented during the press briefing, highlighting that Arakawa was last seen alive on February 11, when she visited a nearby CVS pharmacy.
This was also the final day she sent an email, Mendoza added.
“She was actively shopping and visiting stores,” Mendoza reported, referring to security footage from February 11. “My detectives indicated there was no evidence of any issue or struggle on her part.”
The deaths of both Hackman and Arakawa have been classified as natural, according to Jarrell, who noted no signs of trauma in either case.
“No significant natural disease findings were present,” she stated.
The medication found at the scene included thyroid prescriptions, which were being taken as directed, the examiner confirmed.
Alongside Hackman and Arakawa, one of their dogs was also discovered deceased nearby, based on a search warrant affidavit. A maintenance worker called 911 after finding the couple’s bodies. Their residence’s front door was reported as open when he arrived for routine maintenance, as documented by a detective.
Before Friday’s announcement, officials had indicated that the circumstances surrounding their deaths warranted a comprehensive investigation, describing them as “suspicious enough” due to the unsecured front door of the residence.
Symptoms of the virus can manifest one to eight weeks following exposure to an infected rodent, with early signs including fever, fatigue, muscle aches, chills, dizziness, headaches, and abdominal discomfort, according to the CDC.
Though uncommon, the virus is notably lethal, as the CDC states that around 38 percent of individuals infected with hantavirus “may die from the illness.”
Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, was 95 years old, while Arakawa, a classical pianist, was 65.
The acclaimed actor won his first Academy Award for the 1972 film “The French Connection” and secured his second for his performance in “Unforgiven,” released in 1992. His notable filmography also includes titles such as “The Conversation,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and “Hoosiers.”
