Legendary Hollywood star Gene Hackman and his pianist wife Betsy Arakawa found dead with their dog at New Mexico home. Video / Video elephant
Gene Hackman died of heart failure a week after his wife succumbed to hantavirus, a rodent-borne disease.
The bodies of the 95-year-old actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 26.
Initial suggestions that theyhad been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning had already been ruled out.
According to the autopsy Hackman’s death was attributable to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiac disease, Heather Jarrell, the chief medical investigator said at a press conference.
His condition was worsened by severe Alzheimer’s disease.
While the exact time of both deaths was not definitive, Jarrell estimated that Arakawa died on February 11.
Evidence from the actor’s heart pacemaker, which was interrogated by investigators, indicated he probably died on February 18, which was the last day it showed sign of any activity.
Jarrell said the actor had a history of heart disease including atrial fibrillation – irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and previous heart attacks.
No food was found in his stomach suggesting he had not eaten for several days, but there was no evidence of dehydration.
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa pictured in 1991. Photo / Getty Images
Investigators believe it was possible that Hackman was not even aware his wife had died during the seven days he was alone in the couple’s sprawling home.
There was no evidence that he used his mobile phone during that time to summon help and there was no CCTV footage which could shed light on what had happened.
Santa Fe sheriff Adan Mendoza said Arakawa was seen returning home during the evening of February 11.
Hantavirus is carried by rats and mice and can be contracted by contact with the rodents’ saliva, urine and droppings.
According to Jarrell there have been 136 infections recorded in the last 50 years in New Mexico.
The disease starts off with flu-like symptoms and then within a few days leads to fluid on the lungs, which normally proves fatal in 24 hours.
The pills found splayed on a counter in the house were thyroid medication and played no role in her death.
According to the emergency call, the caretaker said he could see bodies in the house. At the time he could not tell whether they were breathing.
Jarrell said stringent precautions should be taken to avoid contracting the disease from rodent detritus.
They included wearing an N95 mask and rubber gloves. Hands should be washed after removing the gloves, paper towels used to remove the deposits should be thrown away.
The areas should be washed with a solution containing 10% bleach and sweeping the droppings should be avoided because it could promote the circulation of the virus in the room.
