Authorities Confirm Causes of Death for Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Gene Hackman died of heart disease, while Betsy Arakawa succumbed to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, officials confirm after their bodies were discovered in February.
Gene Hackman's death was due to natural causes, coroner confirms
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Gene Hackman cause of death released
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Overview
Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26. Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, while Hackman succumbed to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, exacerbated by advanced Alzheimer's. Authorities confirmed Hackman's death occurred likely on February 18, a week after Arakawa's on February 11. Investigators ruled out foul play and indicated Hackman may not have been aware of Arakawa's death due to his Alzheimer's condition. This case marks the first confirmed hantavirus case of the year in New Mexico.
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Analysis
- Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were recently found dead in their Santa Fe home, with authorities confirming both deaths were natural causes.
- Dr. Heather Jarrell stated that Hackman suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, significantly affected by his Alzheimer's disease, while Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare illness with less than 900 cases reported in the U.S. since 1993.
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FAQ
Gene Hackman died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor.
Betsy Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
No, foul play was not suspected. Authorities ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning and considered the circumstances suspicious enough for a thorough investigation but found no evidence of foul play.
It is unlikely that Gene Hackman was aware of his wife's death due to his advanced Alzheimer's disease.
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