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The cause of death of Gene Hackman And his wife Betsy Arakawa is certain. This was announced by the senior medical doctor on Friday. Nine days after the couple in his house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was found dead.
Both with Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa, “natural causes” was found as the cause of death. Albeit at a distance of six days. Dr. Heather Jarrell said that Arakawa probably died of a Hantavirus syndrome on February 11th. While Hackman on February 18 (Based on pacemakers) died of a heart disease. An “advanced Alzheimer’s disease” also played a role. This clarifies the cause of death.
The investigators also informed a schedule that they believe that he was Arakawa’s last day of life on February 11th. On this day she was seen on a surveillance video as she made. For example to the vet, the farmers’ market and the drugstore. And at some point she led an email conversation that day.
On February 11th at 5:15 p.m., Betsy Arakawa entered the private community with the clicker, in which she and Hackmans house was. After that there was “no further outgoing communication or activity”. Which caused the investigators to assume that she died on February 11th. (There is “no exact scientific method to determine the exact time of death,” said Dr. Jarrell.)
Main cause of an “extensive heart disease”
According to the investigators, Gene Hackman died a week later on February 18. As the main cause, the autopsy resulted in an “extensive heart disease” and an advanced Alzheimer disease. The police said no further specific details about Hackman’s last week of life after his wife’s death. Although the forensic doctor stated that Hackman had an empty stomach at the time of his death.
Gene Hackman, who was in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s, may not have been aware that his wife had died. Experts now assume that Hackman was severely affected by his Alzheimer’s disease. And in the last week of his life, not able to react to the death of his wife or to get help.
What is the Hantavirus lung syndrome (HPS)
According to the Mayo Clinic, the Hantavirus syndrome (HPS) is “a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms. And quickly develops into a more severe illness. It can lead to life-threatening lung and heart problems. ” The disease is usually “caused by the inhalation of havaviruses that get into the air by urine, feces or saliva of rodents.” It is unclear how Arakawa was infected. Or whether she knew about her infection before her death.
On February 26, the actor, his wife, with whom he was married for 34 years, and one of her dogs in her house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, found dead. This was announced by the Santa Fe County’s sheriff, Adan Mendoza. The dog who died was in a transport box after being subjected to a veterinary intervention a few days earlier. And the investigators found that dogs could not be HPS carriers.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office announced in a first explanation that “a crime as the cause of these deaths is not suspected”. But that “an active and ongoing examination” is underway.
No indications of a gas leak
Shortly after the news of the deaths became known, spoke Hackman’s daughter Elizabeth with TMZ And said she and her family suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. However, this theory was soon rejected by the forensic doctor’s office. The local gas companies found no evidence of a gas leak. The autopo spokes confirmed this.
Gene Hackman, whose seriousness and humanity made him a convincing actor on the screen for 40 years, played in film classics like The French Connection,, The Royal Tenenbaums,, The conversation and Superman.
He ended his acting career in 2004 with two Oscars (from a total of five nominations), three Golden Globes (as well as a Cecil B. Demille Award) and two BAFTA awards.