New particulars concerning the deaths of Gene Hackman and his spouse, Betsy Arakawa, have been revealed in a Friday, March 7, press convention.
“Mr. Hackman in all probability died round February 18,” Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief health worker for the New Mexico Workplace of the Medical Investigator, defined. “Based mostly on the circumstances, it’s affordable to conclude that Mrs. Hackman died first, possible round February 11.”
Arakawa’s official reason for dying is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) whereas Hackman died because of hypertensive atherosclerotic heart problems with Alzheimer’s illness as a big contributing issue. “I believe he died because of his coronary heart illness with the Alzheimer’s being a contributing issue,” Dr. Jarrell mentioned. She mentioned it was troublesome to say it was a coronary heart assault however famous he’d had many coronary heart assaults and coronary heart procedures over time.
Jarrell added that Hackman could not have realized his spouse handed. “I can inform you that he was in a sophisticated state of all and it’s fairly attainable that he was not conscious she was deceased.”
When requested if Hackman confirmed indicators of hunger, the health worker famous that no meals was present in his abdomen however he was not dehydrated.
Hackman and Arakawa have been discovered useless of their Santa Fe, New Mexico, residence on February 26.
“On February 26, 2025, at roughly 1:45 p.m., Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies have been dispatched to an deal with on Previous Sundown Path in Hyde Park the place Gene Hackman, 95, and his spouse Betsy Arakawa, 64, and a canine have been discovered deceased,” the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned in a February 27 assertion to Us Weekly. “Foul play isn’t suspected as a consider these deaths at the moment, nevertheless, [the] actual reason for dying has not been decided. That is an lively and ongoing investigation by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Workplace.”
Hackman’s household subsequently confirmed the information in an announcement to Us.
“It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his spouse, Betsy,” Elizabeth, Leslie and Annie Hackman mentioned. “He was cherished and admired by hundreds of thousands all over the world for his good appearing profession, however to us he was at all times simply Dad and Grandpa. We are going to miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa. Bauer-Griffin/GC Photos
Amid the investigation, police instructed TMZ that Arakawa’s physique was “in a state of decomposition” with a bloated face and mummification in her palms and toes when she was discovered. Upkeep employees who found the couple’s our bodies mentioned they’d not seen them in roughly two weeks. Arakawa was present in a rest room, whereas Hackman was situated in a separate room close to the kitchen.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza shed new mild on the pair’s deaths throughout a February 28 look on the As we speak present.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his spouse, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, have been married for over 30 years earlier than they have been discovered useless on February 26. Hackman was first married to Faye Maltese from 1956 to 1986. The couple shared three youngsters, Christopher, Elizabeth and Leslie. Maltese died in 2017. The Superman actor went […]
“It’s very troublesome to place a timeline collectively even with the assistance of the workplace of the medical investigator,” Mendoza mentioned. “Simply primarily based on their physique and different proof on the physique, it regarded — it seems [that they were deceased for] a number of days, even as much as a few weeks.”
Throughout a February 28 press convention, Mendoza revealed that Hackman’s pacemaker was final lively on February 17, noting that it was “an excellent assumption” Hackman died that day. He additionally confirmed that Hackman and Arakawa’s our bodies examined adverse for carbon monoxide publicity.
