Cliff Notes – Gene Hackman and wife Betsy laid to rest in memorial weeks after deaths
- Gene Hackman, 95, died of heart disease with advanced Alzheimer’s as a significant factor, while Betsy Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus, a rare infectious disease.
- The couple’s bodies were discovered at their Santa Fe home in February, leading to a police investigation that ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning.
- A private funeral was held recently, attended by Hackman’s three children, with reports indicating a significant rodent infestation on their property linked to Arakawa’s illness.
Gene Hackman and wife Betsy ‘laid to rest’ in memorial weeks after deaths
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa died in February, with their bodies found at their home.
Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been laid to rest in a private funeral, it has been claimed.
The couple were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the end of February, sparking a police investigation into what caused their deaths.
It was later revealed that the French Connection actor, 95, died of heart disease with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed ‘as a significant contributory factor’.
The classical pianist, 65, battled hantavirus – a rare, infectious condition- before her death.
According to People Magazine, they were laid to rest recently, with their loved ones also attending a small memorial in their honor.
The outlet reports that the ceremony quietly took place in Santa Fe, with the Oscar-winner’s three children, Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie, said to be in attendance.
They have reportedly been laid to rest in Santa Fe (Picture: Getty)
The news comes after further details of their property came to light, following a health assessment from the New Mexico Department of Public Health.
Hackman was discovered in the mudroom at their property beside his walking cane in February – his body had evidence of ‘prior heart attacks, heart surgery and ‘very poor kidney function’ due to ‘chronic high blood pressure’.
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms, and can rapidly progress to a more severe condition – leading to lung and heart problems.
It 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.
Meanwhile, Arakawa was found in a bathroom with one of their dogs, and scattered pills from an open prescription bottle on the counter.
Officers confirmed that they had been ‘dead for some time’, with their bodies showing signs of decomposition and mummification.
After initial concerns of a possible carbon monoxide poisoning were ruled out, TMZ reports that the department uncovered a ‘breeding ground’ for hantavirus – which is typically spread through rodent urine and droppings.
It was alleged that the outbuildings were infested with rodents, and rats were found in three of the garages.
Droppings were discovered in another three garages, two casitas, three sheds and the two parked cars, while traps were also seen throughout the property, suggesting that the infestation was known about.
Betsy died of hantavirus while Gene suffered heart disease
However, the organization determined that there was no signs of an infestation inside the main home, and that the risk of contracting the virus was ‘low’.
The Mayo Clinic states that hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms, and can rapidly progress to a more severe condition, leading to lung and heart problems.
Infection is usually caused by inhaling hantaviruses that have become airborne from rodent urine, droppings or saliva, and it can be carried by different types of rodents – but it is not transmitted from person to person.