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The actor Gene Hackman succumbed to advanced Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, living for about a week with the decomposing body of his dead wife, Betsy Arakawa, who died from a rare rat-borne disease.
In a horrific twist, autopsies revealed that Arakawa, 65, died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome on February 11. Hackman, 95, died about 7 days later, around February 18, before the couple’s mummified remains were found in separate rooms of their $3.8 million Santa Fe home on February 26.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Investigator for the state of New Mexico, stated that their deaths had both been ruled as natural, and no signs of internal or external trauma were found.
Their dog Zinna, who was found dead near Arakawa, was picked up from a veterinary hospital on February 9 after undergoing a procedure, which may explain why it was found in a kennel, according to authorities.
When questioned by reporters, Jarrell said that it was likely that Hackman didn’t even realize his wife had died due to his advanced Alzheimer’s.
Arakawa is believed to have died first on February 11 due to her infection, which initially presents with flu-like symptoms. Hackman’s last event noted on his pacemaker was recorded on February 17, and officials said that there was no food inside Hackman, and no signs of dehydration.
Jarrell explained that Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease and significant heart disease, which ultimately resulted in his death.
The couple’s home did not show any signs of rodent activity, but some of the property’s outbuildings, including a garage and two casitas, had rodent droppings and other evidence of rodent activity. Hantavirus is typically reported in spring and summer, often due to exposures that occur when people are near mouse droppings in homes, sheds, or poorly ventilated areas.
The virus can cause a severe and sometimes deadly lung infection, with symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. The mortality rate in the southwest United States is about 38% to 50%.
Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth had earlier floated a theory that the couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which authorities officially quashed last week. Hackman met Arakawa, a classical pianist, in the mid-1980s, and they were married for the last three decades.
Conclusion:
Gene Hackman’s death, along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating effects of Hantavirus and Alzheimer’s disease. The couple’s life in retirement was marked by a quiet, private existence, with Hackman dedicating much of his time to painting and writing novels.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What was the cause of Gene Hackman’s death?
- Hackman died from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease.
- What was the cause of Betsy Arakawa’s death?
- Arakawa died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
- How did the couple pass away?
- The couple died from natural causes, with no signs of internal or external trauma.
- What was the extent of the Hantavirus outbreak?
- The virus was found in some of the couple’s outbuildings, including a garage and two casitas, and may have been the source of the infection.
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