Authorities have revealed the causes of demise of Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa.
Hackman died from “hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart problems, with Alzheimer’s illness as a major contributory issue,” mentioned Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for New Mexico’s Workplace of the Medical Investigator.
In the meantime, Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a uncommon illness carried by rodents, which is described by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention as initially inflicting “flu-like signs that may progress to extra extreme sickness the place folks have hassle respiration.”
It’s estimated the couple died round one week aside, with Hackman passing round February 18th following his spouse’s demise on February eleventh.
Investigators have mentioned it’s doable Hackman didn’t know his spouse had died as a result of Alzheimer’s illness.
Hackman and Arakawa, together with one in all their canine, had been discovered lifeless on February twenty sixth at their dwelling in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The next day, investigators mentioned their deaths had been “suspicious” after discovering “no apparent indicators of a gasoline leak” and the entrance door of their dwelling “unsecured and opened.”
Based on the search warrant, Hackman’s physique was discovered within the mud room, whereas Arakawa was discovered within the rest room with an area heater close to her head. The deceased canine was situated within the rest room closet, roughly 10 to fifteen toes from Arakawa’s physique.