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 and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe home. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
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.
Gene Hackman was a Hollywood legend. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
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.”
New details have been shared about Gene Hackman's final days after his final autopsy report was shared.
Gene Hackman was found dead aged 95. Credit: Robert Mora/Getty Images
The actor, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were both found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, along with one of their pet dogs.
The couple's bodies showed that they had both been dead for several days before they were found.
Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare and often fatal disease transmitted through infected rodent droppings, per BBC News.
Her death was ruled as natural, with no signs of trauma. She is believed to have passed away on February 12.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, died roughly a week later, on February 18.
Hackman and Arakawa had been married since 1991. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
His cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. Dr. Jarrell noted that his pacemaker ceased recording cardiac activity on February 18, making it the likely date of his passing.
A final autopsy report has now confirmed that the star hadn't for an extended period of time before his death, after trace amounts of acetone were found in his system.
The official report from the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, as cited by Fox News, stated that the toxicology report showed Hackman to have acetone levels at 5.3 mg/dl, which is consistent with prolonged fasting.
The substance can be a "product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion," according to the report.
It had previously been reported that no food had been found in the actor's stomach, indicating that he hadn't recently eaten before his death.
The autopsy report also confirmed that Hackman had "severe chronic hypertensive changes" to his kidneys as well as a "history of congestive heart failure" and had a "bi-ventricular pacemaker" fitted in April 2019.
The report also noted "neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s disease."
Officials believe that Hackman had been unaware Arakawa had died in the days before he also passed away, due to his advanced dementia.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said it was "quite possible" Hackman did not know Arakawa had passed away.
The final autopsy also states that Hackman had tested negative for hantavirus, the rat-borne disease that killed Arakawa.
The couple's bodies were found in a partially mummified state on February 25 after contractors raised the alarm and police were called to the property.
Officials had initially feared the couple may have died from a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, but this was quickly ruled out.
Featured image credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty Images
Authorities have shared the very latest details on the heartbreaking deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe home. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
The couple was found deceased in their Santa Fe home on February 26, along with one of their pet dogs.
Causes Of Death Revealed
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, both died of "natural causes", according to authorities in New Mexico.
At a press conference on Friday (March 7), Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare and often fatal disease transmitted through infected rodent droppings, per BBC News.
Her death was ruled as natural, with no signs of trauma. She is believed to have passed away on February 11, the last day she was known to have communicated via email.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, died roughly a week later, on February 18.
His cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. Dr. Jarrell noted that his pacemaker ceased recording cardiac activity on February 18, making it the likely date of his passing.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa during The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
Due to his Alzheimer's, it is "quite possible that he was not aware that [his wife] was deceased," Dr. Jarrell stated.
The medical examiner also revealed that Hackman had significant heart disease and signs of multiple past heart attacks. He had not eaten recently before his death, but there were no indications of dehydration.
No Signs of Foul Play, But Questions Remain
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza reiterated that there was no evidence of foul play in their deaths, per Sky News.
However, the investigation remains open as authorities work to close all loose ends — including determining the cause of death for the couple's pet dog, Zinna.
Dr. Erin Phipps from the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed that dogs do not contract hantavirus, leaving the cause of Zinna’s death still undetermined.
Investigators found evidence of rodent entry into the home but stated that the risk of exposure to hantavirus was considered low. The virus is not spread from person to person, and authorities have alerted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the case.
Authorities also noted that there was no surveillance footage available from inside or outside the couple’s home, limiting their ability to reconstruct events leading up to their deaths.
Sheriff Mendoza stated that they are still reviewing data from mobile phones found at the scene, but he added that it is "very unlikely they are going to show anything else" since Hackman did not regularly use a phone or other communication technology.
A Private Life, A Storied Legacy
Hackman, known for iconic roles in The French Connection (1971) and Unforgiven (1992), was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
A five-time Oscar nominee, he retired from acting in 2004 and lived a quiet life in New Mexico with Arakawa, a former concert pianist. The couple met in the mid-1980s and married in 1991.
Their deaths mark the end of a decades-long love story and leave behind a legacy of artistic excellence and personal devotion.
Authorities will continue investigating until all remaining questions — including the cause of Zinna’s death — are answered.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the fans and loved ones of Hackman and Arakawa.
An autopsy report has shed light on how one of Gene Hackman's beloved dogs died alongside him and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe home. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
The actor, 95, and his wife, 65, were both found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26, along with one of their pet dogs after maintenance workers raised the alarm.
It had been determined that the pair had been dead for several days before they were found, and one of their three dogs had also passed away.
Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a rare and often fatal disease transmitted through infected rodent droppings, per BBC News.
Her death was ruled as natural, with no signs of trauma. She is believed to have passed away on February 11, the last day she was known to have communicated via email, and had been found in a bathroom of their home.
Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, died roughly a week later, on February 18.
Gene Hackman was found dead aged 95. Credit: Robert Mora/Getty Images
His cause of death was determined to be due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. Dr. Jarrell noted that his pacemaker ceased recording cardiac activity on February 18, making it the likely date of his passing.
It has now been revealed that the couple's dog, Zinfandel (nicknamed Zinna), likely died of starvation and dehydration, according to an autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press and ABC News on Friday (March 14).
The AP cites the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Services as the source of the report, while ABC News sourced the report from Santa Fe Animal Control.
The report, made by the state Department of Agriculture’s veterinary lab, said that while the partial mummification of the dog could have obscured changes in its organs, there was no evidence of poisoning, disease, or trauma that could have led to death.
It also stated that the dog's stomach contained little aside from small amounts of hair and bile at the time of its death.
Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian kelpie mix, was found in a crate in a bathroom closet near where Arakawa was found.
The couple's two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, had been wandering around the property for days when they were found.
According to USA Today, first responders had been at the Hollywood legend's home for almost half an hour before they noticed the dogs behaving strangely.
One of the dogs had barked at the emergency workers continuously before running away towards the other end of the house, leading them to initially believe it wanted to play.
Santa Fe Fire Chief Bryan Moya told the outlet: "They realized (the dog) was trying to say, ‘Hey, come over here! Come over here!’”
The dog - it is not known whether it was Bear or Nikita - then led the officers through a back door that had been left open, into the mudroom where Hackman was found lying on the ground.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa had both been dead for days before they were found. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
Officers noted that besides Hackman and Arakawa's bodies, the home was otherwise clean and organized, and potential carbon monoxide poisoning was quickly ruled out as a cause of their deaths.
It is suspected that Arakawa may have died first as Santa Fe County Medical Examiner Heather Jarrell noted that due to Hackman's Alzheimer's, “it is quite possible he was not aware that [Arakawa] was deceased.”
The autopsy noted that while Hackman "had not eaten recently" before his death as there was "no food in his stomach," his body showed no "evidence of dehydration".
Our thoughts remain with the couple's loved ones at this difficult time.
Featured image credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty Images
The couple were discovered in their Santa Fe home on February 26, sparking an investigation into their deaths.
Investigators 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.
However, because Hackman suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, authorities believe it is “quite possible that he was not aware” that his wife had died around a week before he eventually passed away.
“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 and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their Santa Fe home. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Authorities suspect that after Arakawa’s death, Hackman may have wandered the house alone for days, unable to care for himself or even eat properly.
His autopsy report showed that his stomach was empty, suggesting he had not eaten before his death on February 18.
The 95-year-old acting legend was found wearing sunglasses, with his cane beside him, in a mud room near the kitchen, where he had apparently fallen.
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 roaming the 12-acre property.
Investigators say a dog door allowed them access to food and water, which likely saved their lives.
While the Hollywood icon’s tragic final days have been revealed, uncertainty now surrounds his $80 million estate.
Gene Hackman. Credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty
Legal documents show that Hackman named Arakawa as his sole beneficiary when he updated his will in 2005, per BBC News.
However, with Arakawa dying before him, legal experts say the money could default to his three children - Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58 - despite them not being named in the will.
"The estate will actually be probated in accordance with intestate succession laws, and the children would be lawfully next in line to inherit," said California attorney Tre Lovell.
Hackman had three children with his late ex-wife, Faye Maltese, but their relationship was complicated.
Despite being one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, Hackman admitted that his career strained his relationship with his family.
In a 1989 interview with The New York Times, he reflected on his years of absence from his children’s lives: "You become very selfish as an actor. Even though I had a family, I took jobs that would separate us for three or four months at a time. The temptations in that, the money and recognition - it was too much for the poor boy in me."
Gene Hackman's children have paid tribute. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
In another 2000 interview with The Irish Independent, he acknowledged how difficult it was for his kids to grow up in his shadow: "It's tough being the son or daughter of a celebrity. I couldn't always be home with them when they were growing up, and then, living in California, they've had my success always hanging over their heads."
Despite their complex relationship, Hackman’s daughters and granddaughter expressed deep love for him after his passing.
"He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss."
As previously reported, police say that their bodies were discovered in separate rooms, alongside one of their three German Shepherds, which was also deceased. Two other "healthy" dogs were found alive at the premises.
Authorities have not confirmed when the couple was last seen, though two maintenance workers said they hadn’t heard from them in about two weeks.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were found dead on Wednesday. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
Sheriff Adan Mendoza stated: "There was no external trauma to either of them," and initial findings suggested they had been deceased for "several days, possibly even up to a couple of weeks", per Sky News.
Details of the Scene
Arakawa’s body was discovered in a bathroom, lying on her side near a space heater, and an open orange pill bottle with scattered pills lay nearby.
The affidavit noted she had “obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet.”
Hackman’s body was located in what deputies believe was the mudroom, near a pair of sunglasses. Like his wife, he showed “obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent.”
Authorities had previously stated that it appeared Hackman had “suddenly fallen", but a recent update from Sheriff Mendoza revealed that it is unlikely to have been the cause of his death. "There was no trauma indicated, I'm assuming if they had fallen or injured themselves that would have been discovered by the pathologists," he said.
One of the couple’s dogs was also discovered dead about 10 to 15 feet from her body, inside a crate.
Two other dogs survived, likely because they had access to a doggy door, police say. There were no signs of forced entry, and nothing appeared to have been stolen.
Gene Hackman’s Pacemaker Data
One of the most significant pieces of evidence in the investigation is Hackman’s pacemaker.
Data retrieved from the device indicates that its last recorded "event" occurred on February 17, 2025.
Sheriff Mendoza explained: "According to the pathologist, I think that is a very good assumption — that was his last day of life."
One of the couple's dogs was also found dead. Credit: Evan Agostini / Getty
Authorities have not yet determined whether Arakawa passed away on the same day or at a later time."That's one of our challenges because of their privacy," Mendoza added.
Carbon Monoxide Tests Negative
Early concerns that carbon monoxide poisoning may have been responsible for their deaths were ruled out after thorough testing. The Santa Fe City Fire Department conducted tests and found no traces of the gas in the home.
New Mexico Gas Company also checked the residence and reported, per ABC News: "As of now, there are no signs or evidence indicating there were any problems associated to the pipes in and around the residence."
There had been fears a gas leak could have contributed to their deaths. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
Sheriff Mendoza added, "She [the pathologist] shared that information with me because she thought it was relevant to the case and important for the public to know."
Officials are now awaiting the full results from the autopsy and toxicology tests, which Mendoza says could take "months or longer".
Items and Medication Seized
As part of the investigation, police seized several items from the home, according to The New York Post.
These items include:
Two green cellphones
A 2025 monthly planner
Medical records from MyQuest, a patient portal from Quest Diagnostics
Three types of medication: Tylenol, thyroid medication, and Diltiazem (a blood pressure medication)
It is unclear who the medications belonged to and whether they were linked to the scattered pills found near Arakawa’s body.
Sheriff Mendoza shares updates with the press. Credit: Sam Wasson/Getty Images
Authorities will "sift through cell phones" and analyze phone data, call logs, and medical records as they continue their probe.
“These are things I think are important for the pathologist and OMI (Office of the Medical Investigator) to consider to try to make a determination of what the cause and manner of death are,” Mendoza said.
A Legendary Career and Enduring Marriage
Gene Hackman had a decades-spanning career in Hollywood, appearing in over 80 films. He won two Academy Awards—one for Best Actor in The French Connection (1971) and another for Best Supporting Actor in Unforgiven (1992).
His notable roles included Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Superman (1978), The Conversation (1974), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), and Crimson Tide (1995).
Hackman retired from acting in 2004 after his doctor warned him about the strain on his heart. He later focused on writing, publishing several historical fiction novels and crime thrillers.
Gene Hackman will be remembered as one of Hollywood's greatest pioneers. Credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty
Arakawa, a classical pianist, married Hackman in 1991, and the two lived a private life in Santa Fe. Friends and family described her as devoted and deeply involved in maintaining Hackman’s health, keeping him on a strict diet and exercise regimen that included yoga and Pilates.
The couple had been married for 34 years.
A Lasting Legacy
Prince William shared his condolences, calling Hackman "a true genius of film who brought each and every character to life with power, authenticity, and star quality."
Santa Fe Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia reflected on Hackman’s impact: "Gene was not only a legendary actor whose talent shaped generations of storytelling, but he and Betsy were also longtime residents of our community, deeply woven into the fabric of Santa Fe. His work inspired countless artists, actors, and filmmakers, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come."
Fellow Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood has also paid his respects, saying in a statement: "There was no finer actor than Gene. Intense and instinctive. Never a false note. He was also a dear friend whom I will miss very much"
While the investigation continues, Hackman’s legacy in Hollywood and beyond remains undeniable.
Featured image credit: Donaldson Collection / Getty
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