Nine days have passed since Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Officials have now confirmed the causes of their deaths.
The bodies of the 95-year-old actor and his 65-year-old wife, a classical pianist, were discovered in their residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, last Wednesday (February 26).
During a press conference today (March 7), chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell provided details on their causes of death.
She stated, “The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.”
Dr. Jarrell also confirmed that Arakawa died from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, adding that “the manner of death is natural.”
Hantavirus is a rare infectious disease that initially presents flu-like symptoms but can quickly develop into severe respiratory and cardiovascular complications.
Discussing Arakawa’s passing, Dr. Jarrell explained, “Autopsy examination and full body post-mortem CT demonstrated no findings of trauma internally or externally, with microscopic findings consistent with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
“Laboratory testing was positive for Hantavirus at a clinical lab, with required confirmation testing also positive at the scientific laboratories division. Testing for Covid-19, influenza, and other common respiratory viruses was negative, as was testing for carbon monoxide.
