Gene Hackman's Death Follows Wife's by One Week, Medical Probe Finds

A medical investigation into the death of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman has revealed that he likely passed away one week after hantavirus claimed the life of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, as reported by Variety.

An update on the passing of the couple, which was deemed “suspicious” in a late last month's search warrant, comes from New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator Chief Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell. Jarrell states that Hackman, aged 95, died of cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s also contributing to his death.

It is believed that Arakawa, aged 65, succumbed to hantavirus on February 11, 15 days before their bodies were discovered in their New Mexico home. The CDC describes hantavirus as a “family of viruses which can cause serious illnesses and death,” primarily spread by rodents such as mice and rats.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza shared in a recent news conference that security camera footage showed Arakawa visiting a local Sprouts market and CVS on the day of her death. She also spoke with a massage therapist that same day. Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its final event on February 17, suggesting he died one week after Arakawa. The couple, along with one deceased dog, were found in separate rooms with no evidence of a gas leak; subsequent autopsies tested negative for carbon monoxide.

The news of Hackman and Arakawa’s passing shocked the film community when it spread on February 27. Hackman, celebrated for his roles in films like Superman, The French Connection, Unforgiven, and many others, won two Oscars during his illustrious career. He retired from filmmaking in 2004, following advice from his doctor to avoid putting too much stress on his heart, as he told Empire.

For a deeper dive into Hackman’s cinematic legacy, explore our list of his 20 best films.