Gene Hackman’s cause of death has been officially released following his passing alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator reported Arakawa’s death was caused by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal disease. Hackman, on the other hand, passed away due to heart disease and complications related to Alzheimer’s, with his death classified as resulting from natural causes.
The medical investigator’s report also indicated that Hackman’s pacemaker last recorded activity on February 18, leading officials to conclude that he “probably died around Feb. 18.”
Hackman’s Alzheimer’s raises questions in wife’s death
Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s chief medical examiner, noted that, due to Hackman’s Alzheimer’s disease, it is possible he was unaware of his wife’s death. An autopsy revealed that Hackman’s stomach was empty, though he did not appear to be dehydrated.
Sheriff Adan Mendoza of Santa Fe County also stated that investigators found no evidence of Hackman communicating with anyone after Arakawa’s passing.
“It’s hard to get into the frame of mind of what was happening at the time,” Mendoza stated. “I don’t know if we’ll ever have the answer to that question,” the sheriff sighed while responding to reporters, per The New York Times.
