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Two months after the discovery of the corpses of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa in their property in Santa Fe, the US authority has now announced the actor’s official cause of death. According to the final autopsy report of the forensic doctor of New Mexico, the two-time Oscar winner died of the consequences of cardiovascular disease.
The autopsy report, to which the news transmitter “Fox News” has given an exclusive insight, gives a variety of health problems that led to Hackman’s death. The actor has shown a “history of heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes” on his kidneys. In addition, the doctors found “neurodegenerative features” inside, which indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. Hackman was therefore already at an advanced stage of the disease.
Possible lack of food as a fatal factor
The discovery of greatly increased acetone values in the blood of the actor was particularly worrying. This anomaly indicates a severe lack of food that was connected to the ultimately fatal heart failure. Hackman could have died of a state that could be described as “starvation” in a way, since he might be unable to care for himself due to his advanced illness.
The corpses of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found in their house in February this year. The actor was 95 years old, his wife 63. According to the investigation, Betsy Arakawa died about a week before her husband, so she probably died on February 11th. Due to Hackman’s progressive Alzheimer disorders, he might not have perceived the death of his wife.
Death of Betsy Arakawa and possible Hantavirus infection
There is also indications that Betsy Arakawa could have died of a disease caused by Hantaviruses. The virus, which is often found in rodents and is transferred by contact with their excretions, was identified as a possible cause of death in the investigation. A dog was also found dead that showed signs of thirst. Two other dogs were discovered alive. Interestingly, Hackman was negatively tested for the Hantavirus in the tests, so that a transfer of the virus could be excluded to it.
Gene Hackman, who was considered one of the most outstanding actors of his generation in the 1970s and 1980s, achieved global famousness with films such as “French Connection” (1971), “Der Dialog” (1974) and “Superman” (1978). He won two Oscars. In the early 2000s, Hackman withdrew from Hollywood and lived together with Betsy Arakawa in Santa Fe, where the two spent their last years in the seclusion of the country. The wife of Bruce Willis Emma Heming-Willis criticized and emphasized that nurses had been better supported.