Gene Hackman’s Wife, Betsy Arakawa, Died 7 Days Before Her Husband From Hantavirus, Actor Suffered From Alzheimer’s Before Death

Authorities have announced that Oscar-winner actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, both died on separate occasions.

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Hackman, 95, died from heart disease, according to New Mexico chief medical investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell during a press conference Friday. The specific cause was a hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiac disease. Still, they said that it was “difficult to say” whether Hackman, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, had experienced a recent heart attack but found evidence of “prior heart attacks and severe heart disease.” The last event on Hackman’s pacemaker occurred on Feb. 17.

Medical examiners determined that Arakawa, 65, passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a disease contracted from exposure to mouse droppings that affects the lungs. The manner of death was ruled as natural. Examiners also estimated that Arakawa died on Feb. 11, a week before Hackman’s death.

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Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said that Arakawa was last seen running errands in public on the date of her death. However, authorities found no correspondence from Hackman or Arakawa after that day. The results of the necropsy for the couple’s dog, Zinnia, are still pending.

Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their home along with their dog on Feb. 26. Hackman’s body was found in the mudroom next to a pair of sunglasses and a walking cane. An investigating officer suspected that the actor had “suddenly fallen,” and Arakawa’s body was found in the bathroom surrounded by scattered medicine that was later determined to be Tylenol, a thyroid medication and diltiazem, a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain.

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Hackman’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends and colleagues. His Unforgiven actor, Martin Freeman, gave a speech at the Oscars last Sunday to memorialize the late actor.

“He received two Oscars, but more importantly, he won the hearts of film lovers worldwide. Gene always said, ‘I don’t ever think about legacy; I just hope that people remember me as someone who tried to do good work.’ I think I speak for us all when I say, Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and much more. Rest in peace, my friend.”