Gene Hackman Passed Away a Week After His Wife, Suspected Due to Heart Disease

Gene Hackman (Doc.ist)

Secondupdate.com – Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman passed away due to heart disease at the age of 95.

His passing occurred about a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from hantavirus, a potentially fatal virus transmitted by rodents.

According to Heather Jarrell, the chief medical investigator in New Mexico, Hackman also suffered from Alzheimer's disease, which significantly affected his health.

Arakawa, who was 65 years old, is believed to have died on February 11 due to a hantavirus infection. This virus is rare but has a high fatality rate—about 42% of 136 reported cases in New Mexico over the past 50 years.

The couple was found lifeless in their home on February 26. Authorities found no signs of foul play or criminal activity in their deaths.

According to medical reports, Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last activity on February 17. The next day, it detected an abnormal heart rhythm, indicating that he likely passed away on February 18.

The investigation revealed signs of rodent presence in several buildings around the couple’s property. However, the risk of hantavirus transmission in their main house was considered low.

When found, Arakawa was lying on the bathroom floor with several pills scattered on the table. Meanwhile, Hackman was discovered in the "mud room," a transitional space between the house’s interior and exterior.

A dead dog was found inside a closet near Arakawa’s body, while two other dogs were still alive and wandering around the house.

Authorities became suspicious after a maintenance worker noticed the house’s door left open and reported it. Upon entering, they discovered the couple’s bodies.

Gene Hackman was a legendary actor known for films such as The French Connection, The Conversation, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He won two Academy Awards for his roles in The French Connection and Unforgiven.

After decades in the film industry, Hackman retired about 20 years ago and settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also served as a board member of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

Meanwhile, Betsy Arakawa was a former classical pianist and owner of a home furnishings store in Santa Fe. The couple had been married since 1991 and lived a quiet life before passing away in close succession.