Cause of Death for Gene Hackman and His Wife Declared 'Natural'

Officials in New Mexico, USA, announced that autopsy results show that Gene Hackman, the renowned actor, and his wife both died of natural causes just days apart. The body of Mr. Hackman, who was 95 years old, along with the body of his 65-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, was discovered on March 8 at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Heather Jarrell, the director of the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, told reporters on Friday, March 17, that the cause of Mr. Hackman's death was due to coronary artery disease and advanced Alzheimer's. According to her, Mrs. Arakawa passed away about a week before her husband, and her cause of death was Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare respiratory illness transmitted through infected rodents like mice. New Mexico officials stated that Mr. Hackman likely was unable to comprehend his wife's death due to his advanced Alzheimer's. The date of Gene Hackman's death was determined to be February 19, based on the activity of his heart pacemaker, and the time of his wife's death (according to the date of her last email) was reported as February 12. Gene Allen Hackman, known as Gene Hackman, acted in over 80 films and various television and theater productions during his more than four-decade career. He won two Oscars for his performances in 'The French Connection' and 'Unforgiven.' This American actor also received other prestigious film awards such as BAFTA and Golden Globe. Betsy Arakawa was also a classical piano player.