Autopsy results reveal how legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife died.
The autopsy shows Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, died of a hantavirus infection about a week before Hackman, who died of heart failure. He was 95.
Their bodies were discovered by police conducting a welfare check at their Santa Fe home in New Mexico on Feb. 26.
Hackman’s body was found in a mudroom. His walking cane and glasses were nearby, suggesting he fell and died where he lay.
His pacemaker showed activity until February 18 when it showed an abnormal heart rhythm before he died.
The iconic actor suffered from chronic cardiac disease, high blood pressure and advanced Alzheimer’s.
Arakawa’s body was discovered in a bathroom near a space heater. An open prescription bottle was found near her body. The pills were prescribed for a thyroid disorder and did not contribute to her death.
Both bodies showed signs of decomposition and bloating. Arakawa’s hands were mummified, according to the report.
The autopsy report showed no “immediate” signs of internal or external trauma.
No carbon monoxide poisoning was detected in their bodies.
A dog was found dead in a kennel near Arakawa’s body. The dog may have died from dehydration and starvation. The couple’s other 2 dogs were at a dog daycare center.
Hantavirus is spread to humans through contact with the urine and droppings of rodents such as rats and mice.
Hantavirus is prevalent throughout New Mexico and found primarily in deer mice. It is deadly if it spreads to the lungs.
There have been 136 cases of hantavirus infection in humans in the past 50 years in New Mexico. 42% of those cases were fatal, said Erin Phipps, a veterinarian with the New Mexico Health Department.
