Police share new details on Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s deaths – cause of deaths revealed

Authorities have shared the very latest details on the heartbreaking deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, along with one of their pet dogs.

Causes Of Death Revealed

Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, both died of “natural causes”, according to authorities in New Mexico.

At a press conference on Friday (March 7), Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare and often fatal disease transmitted through infected rodent droppings, per BBC News.

Her death was ruled as natural, with no signs of trauma. She is believed to have passed away on February 11, the last day she was known to have communicated via email.

Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, died roughly a week later, on February 18.

His cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. Dr. Jarrell noted that his pacemaker ceased recording cardiac activity on February 18, making it the likely date of his passing.

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa during The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty

Due to his Alzheimer’s, it is “quite possible that he was not aware that [his wife] was deceased,” Dr. Jarrell stated.

The medical examiner also revealed that Hackman had significant heart disease and signs of multiple past heart attacks. He had not eaten recently before his death, but there were no indications of dehydration.

No Signs of Foul Play, But Questions Remain

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza reiterated that there was no evidence of foul play in their deaths, per Sky News.

However, the investigation remains open as authorities work to close all loose ends — including determining the cause of death for the couple’s pet dog, Zinna.

Dr. Erin Phipps from the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed that dogs do not contract hantavirus, leaving the cause of Zinna’s death still undetermined.

An autopsy on the pet is pending.

Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa. Credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty

Investigators found evidence of rodent entry into the home but stated that the risk of exposure to hantavirus was considered low. The virus is not spread from person to person, and authorities have alerted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the case.

Authorities also noted that there was no surveillance footage available from inside or outside the couple’s home, limiting their ability to reconstruct events leading up to their deaths.

Sheriff Mendoza stated that they are still reviewing data from mobile phones found at the scene, but he added that it is “very unlikely they are going to show anything else” since Hackman did not regularly use a phone or other communication technology.

A Private Life, A Storied Legacy

Hackman, known for iconic roles in The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992), was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

A five-time Oscar nominee, he retired from acting in 2004 and lived a quiet life in New Mexico with Arakawa, a former concert pianist. The couple met in the mid-1980s and married in 1991.

Their deaths mark the end of a decades-long love story and leave behind a legacy of artistic excellence and personal devotion.

Authorities will continue investigating until all remaining questions — including the cause of Zinna’s death — are answered.

Our thoughts continue to go out to the fans and loved ones of Hackman and Arakawa.

Featured image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty