A cause of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has just been announced by authorities in New Mexico. Per USA Today, Arakawa's passing is attributed to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Hantavirus is typically spread by the droppings, saliva, and urine of rodents. Hackman's death was reportedly caused by Alzheimer's disease and heart disease. Both were discovered deceased, along with one of their dogs, in their Santa Fe home on February 26. The findings about what killed them were issued by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator.
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Since the discovery of their bodies days ago , a mystery has persisted about how Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, died. Two possibilities, carbon monoxide poisoning and a gas leak, were quickly eliminated.
Gene Hackman Was Reportedly 'In A Very Poor State Of Health'
The last day that Hackman's pacemaker showed activity was February 18. That fact led the medical investigator to conclude that he most likely died that day. Per the outlet, "It appears that Arakawa died first, according to the medical investigator, likely around Feb. 11, the last time anyone had any communication from her."
The Investigation Into Hackman And Arakawa's Deaths Has Not Yet Officially Wrapped Up
Despite the annoucement of the cause of the couple's deaths, the investigation is evidently still ongoing. According to USA Today, "'We consider this an open investigation' as there are 'other loose ends we need to tie up,' Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza says."
Betsy Arakawa's Last Days Seemed Normal
As far as anyone can tell, Betsy Arakawa's final days were pretty normal, with errands and chores on her schedule. She got one of their dogs from the vet on February 9. Arakawa was in touch with her massage therapist via email on February 11. She also stopped at a farmers market and a drugstore. Arakawa visited a pet store as well.
Gene Hackman's activities on his final days are not as clear. He was not apparently suffering from dehydration. Investigators do not think he was aware that his wife had died.
Hackman Had An Extremely Illustrious Career
He made an indelible impression in epic films such as Bonnie and Clyde, The French Connection, Unforgiven, and the Superman franchise. A double Academy Award winner, my own favorite role of Hackman's is in Mississippi Burning (1988), which is generally based on a true story.
It's a gritty and controversial depiction of racial tension and violence in the South during the early 1960s, Hackman (he got an Oscar nomination) and Willem Dafoe play FBI agents investigating the murder of three young civil rights workers.
Dafoe's character is a straight arrow. He does everything strictly by the book. He's gentlemanly, polite, and respectful. On the other hand, Hackman's character has the demeanor of a street brawler. He uses any crude investigative tactic that works - his fists, profanity, intimidation, sly cunning, and so forth. For him, nothing is off-limits. How these two diametric opposites manage to function together is truly fascinating to watch.
