Gene Hackman died a week after his wife and causes of death for both revealed
After further research following the death of Gene Hackman, recent reports have stated that the actor passed away a week following the passing of his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
Medical professionals have determined that Arakawa passed away due to complications when battling hantavirus, a fatal disease often carried by mice. The autopsy of Hackman determined that he had passed away due to cardiovascular disease and an ongoing struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The couple were initially found on February 26th, with a police report ruling out any possibility of foul play. While Hackman’s family had suspected that carbon monoxide poisoning played a central role in their deaths, authorities have confirmed that both of the bodies tested negative for carbon monoxide.
Both of them were discovered by a maintenance worker in two separate areas of the house. Although one of the couple’s dogs was also found deceased on the property, two of their other dogs were found perfectly healthy elsewhere in the house. Hackman’s pacemaker also revealed it had not detected any activity since February 17th, indicating that he had passed away nine days before his body was discovered.
Upon discovering their bodies, the Santa Fe police declared their deaths suspicious enough to warrant an investigation. Despite traditionally starting at the beginning of the timeline, authorities have said that they have been forced to work backwards to determine what happened. Items recovered from the scene included a day planner as well as Hackman and Arakawa’s cell phones.
Following the film legend’s death, multiple actors have come forward to talk about the massive impact Hackman had on their lives. When paying tribute to him at the Oscars, Morgan Freeman stated, “Our community lost a giant, and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman. Gene would say, ‘I just want people to remember me as someone who tried to do good work’ — I speak for us all when I say Gene; we will remember that and so much more.”
Hackman is survived by his three children, Christopher, Elisabeth, and Leslie. The beloved film icon was 95.
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