Gene Hackman, the celebrated US actor, and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found to have died of natural causes in their Santa Fe residence. While Hackman, aged 95, succumbed to a cardiovascular disease worsened by Alzheimer's, his wife tragically passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This rare infection, transmitted by rodents, was identified as the cause of her demise.
The couple's bodies were discovered at the end of February, sparking initial suspicions of foul play or carbon monoxide poisoning. However, forensic pathologist Heather Jarrell confirmed that these deaths were natural, dismissing earlier concerns of criminal involvement. Hackman, who had stepped away from Hollywood's limelight in the early 2000s, was a two-time Oscar-winner known for films like "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven."
Arakawa's death reportedly occurred on February 11th, with Hackman passing a week later, on February 18th. The delay in discovering their bodies led to questions about their isolation, as no family or caretakers were present to raise an alarm. Despite these concerns, authorities have ruled out any criminal activity, concluding that the couple's deaths were isolated incidents, each caused by separate medical conditions.
This solemn event highlights the importance of awareness around diseases like hantavirus and the impact of conditions such as Alzheimer's. The legacy of Gene Hackman as a remarkable actor endures, while the circumstances of their passing remind us of the vulnerabilities faced by the elderly, especially in solitude.
