• Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found deceased in their Santa Fe home; causes of death were advanced health complications and hantavirus infection, respectively.
• Their deaths were ruled natural, with environmental factors like rodent droppings linked to Arakawa’s hantavirus exposure.
• Hackman, an iconic actor with two Oscars, retired in the early 2000s and lived a quiet life with Arakawa in Santa Fe.

Legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found deceased in their $3.8 million Santa Fe residence on February 26. Authorities confirmed that Arakawa, 65, died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome on February 11, while Hackman, 95, passed roughly a week later, around February 18, due to complications from advanced Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease. Their dog, Zinna, was also discovered lifeless in a kennel near Arakawa’s body.

Cause of Death and Autopsy Findings

The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator classified both deaths as natural. According to Dr. Heather Jarrell, New Mexico’s Chief Medical Investigator, Arakawa’s death resulted from hantavirus infection, a rare but serious disease commonly linked to exposure to rodent droppings. Hackman, on the other hand, succumbed to his declining health, exacerbated by Alzheimer’s and severe heart disease. No signs of external or internal injury were found on either body.

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The autopsy revealed that Hackman’s stomach contained no food, though he did not appear dehydrated. Officials noted he was in a “very poor state of health” at the time of his death. Arakawa was found lying in the bathroom near a space heater, while Hackman’s body was discovered in the mudroom adjacent to the kitchen, with his sunglasses and cane nearby. Authorities believe Hackman may have fallen before his death.

Timeline of Events Leading to Deaths

Investigators pieced together a detailed timeline of the couple’s final days. On February 9, Arakawa retrieved their dog, Zinna, from a veterinary hospital following a medical procedure. Surveillance footage later captured Arakawa entering their gated community at 5:15 p.m. on February 11, marking her last known movement. Emails exchanged with her massage therapist and visits to a farmers market and pet food store earlier that day suggest she showed no signs of illness at the time.

After February 11, no further communication came from Arakawa’s account, and multiple emails remained unopened. Authorities also confirmed that her last cell phone activity occurred on the same day. Meanwhile, Hackman’s pacemaker data recorded its final activity on February 17, reinforcing the belief that he passed away around February 18.

Investigators found Zinna dead inside a kennel within the home, suggesting the dog had been placed there after returning from the vet. Officials are still analyzing the timeline and circumstances surrounding the dog’s death but believe it could be connected to the couple’s declining health.

Environmental Factors and Hantavirus Risk

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that although no rodent presence was detected inside the couple’s main residence, rodent droppings were found in several outbuildings on the property, including a garage and two casitas. Hantavirus is linked to exposure to rodent droppings, particularly in poorly ventilated areas such as sheds or storage spaces.

Hantavirus infections, though rare, are most common in western U.S. states during the spring and summer months. The virus can lead to severe lung infections, with symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The mortality rate for hantavirus strains found in the southwestern U.S. ranges between 38% and 50%. Importantly, the virus is not spread from person to person.

Family and Legacy

Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, initially speculated that carbon monoxide poisoning might have caused their deaths. However, investigators ruled out this possibility after testing revealed no traces of the toxic gas in their systems.

Hackman, regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, had a career spanning four decades. Known for his versatility, he portrayed heroes, villains, and complex antiheroes in dramas, comedies, and action films. He received five Academy Award nominations, winning Best Actor for The French Connection in 1972 and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven in 1992.

Hackman married Arakawa, a classical pianist, 30 years ago. He had three children from his previous marriage to Faye Maltese. The couple lived a quiet life in Santa Fe following Hackman’s retirement from acting in the early 2000s.

Closing Thoughts

Hackman and Arakawa’s tragic deaths serve as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing environmental risks like hantavirus exposure and understanding challenges posed by advanced age and health conditions. Their passing marks the end of an era for a beloved actor whose talent left an indelible mark on cinema.

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