SANTA FE, N.M. — Gene Hackman died due to hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor, New Mexico officials confirmed Friday. He was likely alone in the home for about a week, until he died around Feb. 18, which was the last time activity was recorded on his pacemaker.
His wife, Betsy (Arakawa) Hackman, died due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which is transmitted from animals to humans and is commonly found in rodents, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed. Her autopsy determined the manner of death as natural. Authorities believe she died on or about Feb. 11.
Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell performed a full autopsy on Hackman the day after his body was discovered, which showed “severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks, and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.”
She added, “Examination of the brain showed advanced Alzheimer’s disease as well as blood vessel changes in the brain secondary to chronic high blood pressure.”
Jarrell noted that Hackman’s pacemaker data indicated “abnormal rhythm of atrial fibrillation” on Feb. 18. She said it was “reasonable to conclude” Arakawa died the week before Hackman, with the actor’s death likely on Feb. 18.
“Based on the circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that [Arakawa] passed away first, with February 11th being the last time that she was known to be alive,” Jarrell said.