Actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, passed away from a rare infectious disease approximately a week before his death, according to medical investigators. The couple was found dead in their New Mexico home on February 26, alongside one of their pet dogs, with no indications of foul play.
At a press conference, New Mexico’s chief medical investigator, Dr. Heather Jarrell, provided updates from the post-mortem investigations. She confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare and serious illness. The last known communication from her was via email on February 11, which likely marks the date of her death.
Dr. Jarrell also noted that Hackman suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and died from heart disease, with his pacemaker last recording data on February 18. Given his condition, she stated it is “quite possible he was not aware” of his wife’s death.
While Hackman tested negative for hantavirus, the disease, which is spread through infected rodent droppings, is not transmissible between humans. Symptoms may appear one to eight weeks after exposure, and last year, there were only seven confirmed cases in New Mexico.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza remarked that authorities are awaiting data from mobile phones found at the home. However, he suggested it is “very unlikely” they will uncover any additional information, as there is no evidence Hackman used a phone or any technology to communicate. The couple lived a very private life.
The cause of the couple’s dog’s death remains unconfirmed, though it was noted that Arakawa had picked the dog up from the vet on February 9 after a procedure, which may explain why it was found in a crate at their residence when two other dogs were seen roaming the property.
Hackman, a five-time Oscar nominee, was celebrated for his work, winning the Best Actor award for The French Connection in 1972 and Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven in 1992. During last Sunday’s Academy Awards, Morgan Freeman honored Hackman, stating, “A community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend.”
Hackman and Arakawa, a concert pianist, met in the mid-1980s and married in 1991.
Credit: Sky News
