Authorities Confirm Causes of Death for Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Gene Hackman died of heart disease, while Betsy Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, officials confirm after their bodies were discovered in February.
While Hackman's cause of death -- a condition in which high blood pressure damages the blood vessels, leading to heart problems -- is more common, the syndrome that caused Arakawa's death is rare.
Gene Hackman's wife dies from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: What to know
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Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause rare but potentially deadly illnesses.
What to know about hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
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Hantaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause serious illnesses and death.
Gene Hackman's wife died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. What to know about disease
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Hackman stepped away from Hollywood in 2004 after starring in “Welcome to Mooseport,” alongside Ray Romano, and by all accounts lived a quiet life in Santa Fe.
Shocking New Details Emerge In Investigation Into Gene Hackman’s Death
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The post mortem examination showed evidence of "multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes to the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure."
What is hantavirus? Gene Hackman's wife died from the infection
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Hackman dedicated much of his time in retirement to painting and writing novels far from Hollywood's social circuit.
Gene Hackman died of heart disease, his wife died of hantavirus, authorities say
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Hackman likely survived for an additional week and ultimately died from natural causes.
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Conflicting accounts of Hackman’s health emerged shortly after he passed.
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The press conference New Mexico authorities held on Friday provided some answers in the mystery of what happened to the couple.
Gene Hackman died of natural causes days after wife died of rare respiratory virus
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The search warrant described their deaths as “suspicious” and noted that an open prescription pill bottle was on the bathroom counter near Arakawa, along with scattered pills.
Gene Hackman's and wife's causes of death announced by officials
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Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that, while rare, can be deadly.
Gene Hackman’s wife Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus. But what is it?
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The couple, who had been married for more than 30 years, were found in their home after neighbourhood security conducted a welfare check and saw their bodies on the ground through the window.
Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa died of natural causes about a week apart
BBC News·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Given Hackman's advanced Alzheimer's disease, Jarrell said it is likely he was home with his deceased wife for over a week before he died.
Gene Hackman's death was due to natural causes, coroner confirms
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Hantavirus is a rare but highly fatal virus, federal health officials say.
Gene Hackman Died of Heart Disease; Wife Died of Hantavirus About 1 Week Prior: Authorities
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Authorities believe Betsy died on about Feb. 11.
Gene Hackman died of heart disease, about one week after wife died of hantavirus: investigators
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Investigators noted there is no reliable, scientific way to determine the exact date of death, but based on the investigation, they believe Arakawa died first, with her last known activity on Feb. 11, 2025.
Gene Hackman died of heart disease, wife of Hantavirus
NewsNation·2d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Hackman, 95, was found in the home’s entryway.
Gene Hackman Died of Heart Disease, His Wife of Hantavirus About a Week Prior: Officials
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Summary
Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26. Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, while Hackman succumbed to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, exacerbated by advanced Alzheimer's. Authorities confirmed Hackman's death occurred likely on February 18, a week after Arakawa's on February 11. Investigators ruled out foul play and indicated Hackman may not have been aware of Arakawa's death due to his Alzheimer's condition. This case marks the first confirmed hantavirus case of the year in New Mexico.
Perspectives
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were recently found dead in their Santa Fe home, with authorities confirming both deaths were natural causes.
Dr. Heather Jarrell stated that Hackman suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, significantly affected by his Alzheimer's disease, while Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness with less than 900 cases reported in the U.S. since 1993.