Cause of death announced

Autopsy reveals: Hackman’s death was this tragic

The dead Hollywood star was commemorated at the Oscars.(Bild: AFP/PATRICK T. FALLON)

The investigation into the mysterious death of Hollywood star Gene Hackman (†95) and his wife Betsy Arakawa (†65) has been completed - and reveals a tragic end for both of them. Arakawa probably died of hantavirus and Hackman lived next to his dead wife for another week due to his Alzheimer's disease. 

Hackman, who had withdrawn from the public eye for years, is thought to have succumbed to heart disease. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, severe coronary problems and possibly high blood pressure for some time. "The autopsy showed advanced signs of Alzheimer's and overall poor physical condition," said coroner Heather Gerald in a press conference. Although a heart attack could not be proven as the cause of death, it could not be ruled out either.

County Sheriff Adan Mendoza announced the results of the autopsy.(Bild: AP/Susan Montoya Bryan)

One week between the deaths
The analysis of video cameras, mail accounts and his pacemaker revealed that the former Hollywood star had probably lived next to his dead wife for a good week.

Betsy Arakawa is said to have bought various medications from a pharmacy on February 11. The last time she was seen alive. According to the autopsy, she succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Tests for carbon monoxide poisoning, however, were negative. Other causes such as influenza or Covid-19 can also be ruled out.

Hackman's pacemaker showed activity until February 17, and a later check also revealed an abnormal heart rate, presumably atrial fibrillation, on February 18. It is therefore conceivable that the actor died on this day, but this cannot be confirmed.

However, due to the badly decomposed state of the bodies - they were found on the couple's property on February 26 - an exact time of death could not be determined. 

The autopsy confirms the last public image of Hackman: the actor was in poor overall physical condition and had probably undergone several heart operations.(Bild: PPS/www.photopress.at)

Hackman was still hydrated at the time of his death, but had probably not eaten for a long period of time. According to the authorities at the press conference, a carer was probably not part of either of their lives. The 95-year-old tested negative for Hanta. "It is not clear whether he was aware that his wife had died," said Heather Gerald. 

Hantaviruses are found worldwide and cause different forms of disease of varying severity. The pathogens are transmitted to humans via rodents such as mice and rats. Hantavirus-induced cardiopulmonary syndrome, or HCPS for short, which was diagnosed in Hackman's wife, is an infectious disease caused by hantaviruses with a high mortality rate. The disease progresses with flu-like symptoms. These include headaches, abdominal and back pain as well as nausea and diarrhea. Dizziness, light-headedness and visual disturbances are also possible.