Gene Hackman Died One Week After His Wife Betsy Arakawa, Medical Investigation Reveals

A medical investigation into the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has revealed that he likely passed away one week after hantavirus claimed the life of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, according to Variety.

An update on the couple's passing, which was deemed "suspicious" in a search warrant issued late last month, comes from Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. She confirmed that Hackman, aged 95, died of cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s also contributing to his death.

It is believed that Arakawa, aged 65, succumbed to hantavirus on February 11, 15 days before her and Hackman's bodies were discovered in their New Mexico home. The CDC describes hantavirus as a family of viruses that can cause severe illness and death, primarily spread by rodents like mice and rats.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza reported in a recent news conference that security camera footage showed Arakawa visiting a local Sprouts market and CVS on the day she died. She had also spoken with a massage therapist that same day. Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its final event on February 17, indicating he died one week after Arakawa. The couple, along with one deceased dog, were found in separate rooms with no evidence of a gas leak, and subsequent autopsies showed negative results for carbon monoxide.

The news of Hackman and Arakawa's passing, which spread on February 27, shocked the film community. Hackman's illustrious career included winning two Oscars and starring in films such as Superman, The French Connection, Unforgiven, and many others. He retired from acting in 2004, following advice from his doctor to avoid stressing his heart, as he told Empire.

For more on Hackman's work, you can explore our list of his 20 best films.