Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after wife's death in Santa Fe home
By Brianna Morris-Grant and wires
Topic:Arts, Cultural and Entertainment Events
12m ago12 minutes agoFri 7 Mar 2025 at 9:50pm
actor gene hackman holding an academy award in 1993
Gene Hackman was found dead in his Santa Fe home late last month. (AP Photo: File)
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died of a virus inside their Santa Fe home, authorities have revealed.
Hackman, 95, and his wife, 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa, were both found dead inside their home on February 26.
The Mississippi Burning star showed severe signs of Alzheimer’s disease at the time of his death, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said.
Arakawa, who was found in the home’s bathroom with an open prescription bottle and scattered pills nearby, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
The rare disease, spread by exposure infected rodent droppings, is typically reported in spring and summer.
Her body showed signs of decomposition and mummification in the hands and feet by the time maintenance workers alerted authorities to the couple’s open from door.
Hackman was found in a room near the kitchen.
Mr Mendoza made the announcement alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference.
Investigators earlier ruled out both foul play and carbon monoxide poisoning, retrieving phones and other personal items from the home.
ABC/AP
Posted12m ago12 minutes agoFri 7 Mar 2025 at 9:50pm
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