The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator has concluded that the deaths of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were due to natural causes. The couple's bodies were discovered in their Santa Fe residence on February 26, under circumstances that initially sparked a criminal investigation.
Gene Hackman, aged 95, passed away from severe cardiovascular disease, further complicated by advanced Alzheimer’s Disease. Hackman had a known history of congestive heart failure and chronic hypertension, which had progressively worsened in his final years. In April 2019, he received a bi-ventricular pacemaker as part of his heart condition treatment. The autopsy report indicated significant heart damage over time, including “remote myocardial infarctions” and a brain examination revealing advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.
The medical examiner's findings also showed unusually high levels of acetone in Hackman's system, indicative of a prolonged period without food prior to his death, likely a result of his declining health.
In a stark contrast to Hackman's chronic conditions, Arakawa, 63, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and often fatal respiratory disease transmitted from rodents. The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed her cause of death, which is known for its rapid symptom progression and its potential to cause heart and lung failure.
Recovered computer records from the couple's home showed Arakawa had sought information on flu and COVID-19 symptoms, and an email from her to a massage therapist suggested that both might have been ill with flu-like symptoms weeks prior to their deaths. These details helped investigators piece together a timeline of the couple's final days.
Initial suspicions around the deaths led to a full criminal investigation, as the bodies displayed signs of decomposition that indicated they had been deceased for some time before being found by maintenance workers. However, after exhaustive analysis, including ruling out carbon monoxide poisoning and finding no signs of trauma, authorities concluded that the couple died of separate medical conditions in a tragic coincidence.
