Cliff Notes – All the heartbreaking details of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s death after couple’s funeral
- Gene Hackman, aged 95, died from heart disease and advanced Alzheimer’s, while his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, is believed to have succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, with both passing in their New Mexico home.
- A private funeral was held in Santa Fe, attended by family, including Hackman’s three children, with no further details disclosed about the ceremony.
- Investigations revealed that the couple’s property had a significant rodent problem, which likely contributed to Arakawa’s illness, while their dog died of starvation and dehydration.
All the heartbreaking details of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s death after couple’s funeral
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa have been laid to rest in a private funeral (Picture: AP)
The mystery surrounding the heartbreaking deaths of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa has been solved as the couple is laid to rest in a private funeral.
On Tuesday, April 15, editors at People revealed that a small memorial took place in Santa Fe to remember the late couple.
Friends and family were invited to the event, including Hackman’s three children, Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, from his first marriage to Faye Maltese.
No further details were released about the private ceremony.
The Unforgiven actor died aged 95 in the mud room next to the kitchen of his and Arakawa’s New Mexico home. His glasses and walking cane were strewn on the floor beside him.
Awakawa’s body, aged 65, was found on the bathroom floor, with a box of pills scattered nearby, and a deceased dog next to her in a cage.
The scene was bizarre enough to warrant an investigation, which found there was no – as originally suspected – carbon monoxide poisoning involved.
Their dog was also dead in the bathroom next to Arakawa’s body (Picture: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
What was Gene Hackman’s cause of death?
Gene Hackman’s cause of death was due to heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease ‘as a significant contributory factor’.
He is thought to have died on February 18, when the last activity on his pacemaker was recorded, which was a week after his wife’s death.
Addressing reporters at the press conference, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell said in a press conference in March, she saw no evidence that Hackman was dehydrated, but found no food in his stomach during the autopsy, meaning he ‘had not eaten recently’ when he died.
His body showed evidence of ‘prior heart attacks’, heart surgery, and ‘very poor kidney’ function due to ‘chronic high blood pressure’.
Officials concluded that he was in a ‘very poor state of health’ when he died, but they could not, when asked, attribute his death to the single event of heart failure.
Due to his ‘advanced’ Alzheimer’s, Jarrell said it was ‘quite possible’ that Hackman was unaware that Arakawa had died for the six days he lived in the house until his own death.
What is Hantavirus, the cause of Betsy Arakawa’s death?
Arakawa is believed to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on February 12, almost a week before her husband’s death.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease which can be carried by different types of rodents.
Infection is usually caused by inhaling hantaviruses that have become airborne from rodent urine, droppings or saliva.
It is not transmitted from person to person.
Explaining the rare hantavirus infection, Jarrell explained it shows up as flu-like symptoms, but can progress to ‘shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure’.
TMZ later reported that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property, making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus.
Droppings were found in three garages, two casitas, and three sheds on the property, with traps being found across the property suggesting it was an ongoing issue for the couple.
The full timeline of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s deaths
Police say Hackman likely died on February 18, almost a week after his wife Arakawa is thought to have died, on February 11.
On February 9 Arakawa took the dog, who was found deceased in the crate, to the vets for a procedure.
On February 11 Arakawa sent her last email, to her massage therapist, at around 11am. In the afternoon, she took a trip to a farmer’s market, CVS pharmacy and a pet food shop.
Her car was used to access the gated community after 5pm. She did not have any ongoing communication or activity in the local area after February 11.
On February 12, Arakawa made multiple calls to a health clinic for medical treatment, which she was not able to receive. She also googled health care providers – having previously searched for causes of symptoms she was experiencing.
Gene Hackman’s pacemaker detected cardiac activity on February 17, and an abnormal rhythm on February 18, when activity stopped.
Their bodies were discovered on February 26, 15 days after Arakawa was thought to have died, and eight days after Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last heartbeat.
How did Gene Hackman’s dog die?
It was announced that the couple’s dog, a kelpie mix named Zinna, died of starvation and dehydration in its crate.
The police reports detailed partial mummification of the dog and noted the absence of symptoms of infectious disease, trauma, or poisoning.
Arakawa’s trip to the vets with the dog two days before her death could explain why it was stuck in a crate.
It was also reported that their remaining two dogs – one of whom was seen guarding Arakawa’s body when police arrived at the scene – have been rehomed.
A family representative revealed that the two German Shepherds, Nikita and Bear, are safe and healthy in their new homes.
‘In response to numerous concerned inquiries about Hackman’s dogs, both Bear and Nikita have been placed in appropriate homes,’ a spokesperson stated at the time.
‘Both are safe, healthy, and adjusting to their new environments.’
The mysterious deaths have a heartbreaking explanation (Picture: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
What was the box of pills found next to Betsy Arakawa?
Officials said the pills found scattered close to Arakawa’s body were prescription medication for thyroids.
What have Gene Hackman’s children said?
Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie and granddaughter Annie released a statement announcing the news.
‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,’ they said.
‘He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.’
Speaking about her relationship with her father to MailOnline, Leslie commented: ”We were close. I hadn’t talked to them for a couple months, but everything was normal and everything was good.’
She also commented on her father’s happy marriage: ‘They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive.’
‘[Betsy] took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health.
‘So I am appreciative to her for that, and I’m very saddened by her passing.’
