Gene Hackman Dies a Week After Wife in New Mexico Home

Gene Hackman Dies a Week After Wife in New Mexico Home \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, died from heart disease a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus. Authorities believe Hackman, who had advanced Alzheimer’s, may not have known she had passed. Their deaths were ruled natural, and no foul play was suspected.

Gene Hackman’s Final Days: Quick Look

• Cause of Death: Hackman died from heart disease; his wife from hantavirus.
• Timing: Arakawa’s last known activity was on Feb. 11; Hackman likely passed on Feb. 18.
• Health Factors: Hackman had advanced Alzheimer’s, which may have left him unaware of his wife’s death.
• Discovery: Their bodies were found in their Santa Fe home on Feb. 26.
• Investigation: No foul play; carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out.
• Hantavirus Details: Arakawa’s death was the first confirmed hantavirus case in New Mexico this year.
• Hollywood Legacy: Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, was known for The French Connection, Hoosiers, and Superman.

Deep Look

The world mourns the loss of Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor who passed away at the age of 95 from heart disease. His death came just one week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, died from hantavirus, a rare but fatal disease spread by rodents.

Authorities believe that due to Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s disease, he may not have been aware of his wife’s passing, adding another tragic layer to their deaths. Their bodies were discovered on February 26 in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, a little over a week after Hackman likely succumbed to heart complications.

A Timeline of Tragedy: How Events Unfolded

Authorities outlined the heartbreaking sequence of events that led to the couple’s passing.

• February 11, 2025 – Betsy Arakawa was last seen visiting a pharmacy, a pet store, and a farm market. Investigators determined this was the last known instance of her being alive.
• February 18, 2025 – Hackman’s pacemaker recorded abnormal activity, suggesting this was the day he likely passed away. His final moments remain unclear.
• February 26, 2025 – Their bodies were discovered inside their Santa Fe home after concerns arose.

When investigators arrived, they found Hackman’s body near the home’s entryway, while Arakawa was discovered in a bathroom. Both deaths were officially ruled as natural causes, with Hackman’s being attributed to heart disease and Arakawa’s to hantavirus.

Tests for carbon monoxide poisoning returned negative results, and there were no signs of foul play.

Hackman’s Health and Possible Unawareness of His Wife’s Death

New Mexico’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Heather Jarrell, revealed that Hackman had been in poor health for some time, suffering from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and severe heart disease. Given his cognitive decline, experts believe he may not have even realized that Arakawa had passed away.

Alzheimer’s disease can lead to confusion, memory loss, and an inability to process time or surroundings, which may explain why Hackman did not seek help or show signs of distress in the wake of his wife’s passing.

The actor’s condition was so advanced that, according to Dr. Jarrell, he was likely unaware of what was happening in his final days. The combination of cognitive decline and heart disease ultimately led to his death.

Hantavirus: The Silent Killer Behind Arakawa’s Death

Betsy Arakawa’s passing was linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), a rare but deadly virus spread through rodent droppings. The disease is most commonly reported in spring and summer, but this was the first confirmed case of hantavirus in New Mexico this year.

Hantavirus symptoms often start with flu-like signs, such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, before progressing to severe respiratory distress. Given the isolated nature of their home, it’s possible Arakawa was exposed to the virus through contaminated areas within their property.

Authorities found Arakawa’s prescribed thyroid medication near her body, but Dr. Jarrell confirmed these pills did not contribute to her death. It remains unknown exactly how quickly the virus affected her.

Investigation Details and Remaining Questions

Authorities retrieved several personal items from the home, including:

• A monthly planner
• Two cellphones
• Household records

Investigators are currently analyzing cellphone data to determine whether there were any final calls or messages from either Hackman or Arakawa that might provide more insight.

Adding to the tragic discovery, one of the couple’s three dogs was found dead in a crate inside a bathroom closet. The other two dogs survived. Initially, authorities misidentified the deceased dog’s breed. A necropsy is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the dog’s death, though veterinarians confirm that dogs are not susceptible to hantavirus.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated that until these final tests are completed, the case remains open for further investigation.

The Impact of Santa Fe’s Harsh Climate on Their Remains

Due to the high elevation (7,200 feet) and dry climate of Santa Fe, the couple’s remains showed signs of mummification upon discovery. The dry air preserves bodies differently, sometimes slowing decomposition but also leading to unusual post-mortem conditions.

These environmental factors complicated initial assessments, requiring a thorough forensic examination to determine their exact time of death.

Hackman’s Legendary Career and Private Life

Gene Hackman’s passing marks the end of a storied Hollywood career. Over the decades, he starred in some of the most celebrated films of all time, including:

• The French Connection (1971) – Winning an Academy Award for Best Actor
• Superman (1978) – Portraying the iconic villain Lex Luthor
• Hoosiers (1986) – One of the most beloved sports films ever made
• Unforgiven (1992) – Winning a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor

Hackman retired from acting in the early 2000s, choosing to step away from the Hollywood spotlight to focus on painting and writing novels. He lived a quiet life in Santa Fe, far from the industry that had defined much of his life.

His wife, Betsy Arakawa, was a classically trained pianist who attended the University of Southern California. The couple met in the mid-1980s when she was working at a California gym, eventually marrying and settling in their stunning Pueblo-style Santa Fe home.

A Legacy Remembered

Though the circumstances of their deaths were tragic, Gene Hackman’s legacy in film and the arts will live on. His influence on cinema remains undeniable, and fans around the world continue to celebrate his contributions.

His quiet retirement in Santa Fe reflected his desire for privacy and a life outside the constant glare of Hollywood. He and Arakawa invested in local businesses, and Hackman even served on the board of trustees at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

Their deaths mark the end of an era for one of Hollywood’s most respected actors and his devoted wife, who shared a peaceful life away from the public eye.

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