Gene Hackman autopsy uncovers heartbreaking detail about actor at the time of his death

An autopsy on the late Gene Hackman has unveiled a sad detail about the state of his health at the time of his death.

Hackman and his wife Besty Arakawa were found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, along with one of their pet dogs.

Authorities believe Arakawa passed away first, on February 11, after contracting hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but deadly virus spread through infected rodent droppings.

She was found lying on the bathroom floor with her head next to a space heater, and thyroid medication pills scattered around her.

Because of Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s disease, investigators believe it is “quite possible that he was not aware” his wife had died.

“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death,” said Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Investigator for New Mexico.

Hackman died alone in the mud room of the house, approximately a week later, on February 18.

Hackman, who suffered from significant heart disease and had a pacemaker, was likely left to fend for himself after Betsy’s passing, per the Daily Mail.

Authorities suggested that he may have wandered the house for days, unable to care for himself or eat properly, as his condition worsened.

His autopsy report showed that his stomach was empty, suggesting that he had not eaten before his death.

He was found wearing sunglasses, with his cane beside him, in a room near the kitchen, where he had apparently fallen.

Investigators confirmed that the last recorded activity on his pacemaker was on February 18, but his body—along with Betsy’s—was not discovered until more than a week later.

Tragically, one of the couple’s dogs, Zinna, was found dead inside a crate. However, two other dogs, a German Shepherd named Bear and another dog named Nikita, were still alive and running around the 12-acre property.

A dog door allowed them access to food and water, which likely saved their lives.

Veterinarians are still trying to determine what caused Zinna’s death, as hantavirus does not affect dogs.

While authorities ruled out foul play, questions still linger.

• Rodent activity was detected in the couple’s outbuildings, which may explain how Arakawa contracted hantavirus, but investigators have not found strong evidence of rodent infestations inside their main home.
• Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, initially suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, but authorities confirmed that there were no traces of the gas in their bodies.
• No surveillance footage was available from inside or outside their home, limiting investigators' ability to reconstruct events leading up to their deaths.
• Authorities are still analyzing Hackman’s and Arakawa’s phones, but Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated: “It is very unlikely they are going to show anything else, since Mr. Hackman did not regularly use a phone or other communication technology.”

Featured image credit: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty