New Mexico Officials Unveil Cause of Death for Gene Hackman and Spouse

SANTA FE, N.M. — Hollywood actor Gene Hackman has died, passing away from heart disease a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, succumbed to hantavirus in their New Mexico home. Authorities reported that Hackman, 95, may not have realized his wife had died due to the advanced signs of Alzheimer’s disease he exhibited.

At a press conference, state chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed both deaths were natural. “Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” she stated, citing that his poor health was compounded by significant heart disease.

Authorities confirmed foul play was not involved after the couple’s bodies were discovered on February 26, amid reports that immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning returned negative results. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared that Arakawa’s last activities were tracked to February 11, when she visited various local establishments.

Investigators noted Hackman’s pacemaker indicated activity a week later, culminating in an irregular heartbeat on the day he likely died, February 18. “It’s quite possible he was not aware she was deceased,” Jarrell remarked.

Their remains were uncovered in a deteriorating state, attributed to the dry air climate of Santa Fe. Hackman was located in the home’s entryway with his death linked mainly to heart disease, while Arakawa was found in the bathroom, her death caused by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

This rare illness, often linked to infected rodent droppings, marks the first confirmed case in New Mexico for the year. Authorities have yet to discern the timeline of Arakawa’s passing, as Jarrell stated it is unclear how swiftly she succumbed to the virus.

The couple shared their home with three dogs; one was found deceased nearby, while two others survived. Notably, according to New Mexico Health Department veterinarian Erin Phipps, dogs do not contract hantavirus. The investigation remains open as authorities continue to examine phone data and await the results of a necropsy on the deceased dog.

Hackman, acclaimed for films such as “The French Connection” and “Hoosiers,” had retired from acting in the early 2000s, transitioning to painting and writing novels. He was also known for his involvement with the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and local business ventures in Santa Fe.

Arakawa, a former concert pianist, met Hackman in the mid-1980s while they both worked at a gym in California. The couple’s home, a Pueblo-revival style residence, is nestled on a hill in a gated community, reflective of Santa Fe’s allure for artistic and celebrity residents.