The mystery surrounding the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife of 34 years, Betsy Arakawa has been solved. Amid speculation of foul play, a Mew Mexico medical investigator has deemed their deaths as “natural causes” confirming that the couple passed away a week apart from each other.
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The report came over two weeks after the couple was found unresponsive in the New Mexico home. The medical investigator determined that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare disease caused by exposure to infected rodents. She is believed to have breathed her last on February 11, Dr Heather Jarrell of the New Mexico Medical Investigator's Office, told a news conference on Friday, as her last known movements were recorded on that day.
It was earlier reported that it was “reasonable to conclude” that Hackman, 95, passed away on February 18, as that was when his pacemaker recorded his last activity. It was revealed in the recent report that the Unforgiven actor passed away due to heart disease. The actor, who struggled with various health issues, including previous heart attacks and Alzheimer's disease, was most likely not aware that his wife had passed away.
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Official reports state that Hackman was found near the kitchen, his cane beside him, while Arakawa was discovered in the bathroom, with pills scattered nearby. One of their pet dogs was also found dead, though the cause of death is yet to be determined.
The bodies were discovered on February 26, when a maintenance worker arrived at the couple’s home east of Santa Fe and grew worried when no one answered the door. After contacting neighbourhood security to perform a wellness check, security personnel saw the couple’s bodies on the floor through a window and then called 911. Both bodies were discovered in advanced stages of decomposition.
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Gene is survived by three children from a previous marriage – Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie.
