Gene Hackman spent a week not knowing about his wife's death before he died himself (6 photos)

Details have emerged about the death of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. It appears the man didn't even realize what had happened to his wife. On February 26, the couple and their German Shepherd were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.





The 95-year-old "Welcome to Mooseport" actor was found separated from his wife, fully clothed, with his sunglasses lying nearby, indicating the possibility of a sudden fall.

Arakawa, 65, was lying in the bathroom with pills scattered all over the place.



Hackman's daughter suggested that a carbon monoxide leak in the home was the cause of death. However, on March 7, experts were finally able to clarify the situation. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell revealed the cause of the couple's death.





"The cause of death of Mr. Gene Hackman, 95, is hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease," she said.

Arakawa's death was also natural. "An autopsy and full-body CT scan showed no internal or external trauma, but hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was detected," Jarrell added.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease that can be contracted by inhaling dust from infected rodent droppings.



Hackman died on February 18, a week after his wife. The pacemaker recorded heart activity on February 17. The next day, an electrocardiogram showed an abnormal atrial fibrillation rhythm, which was the last recording of heart activity.

"He was in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease, probably unaware of his wife's death," the medical examiner explained.

The man had not eaten or drunk for a week — his stomach was empty upon autopsy.

Their German Shepherd died along with the owners.



Gene Hackman is a two-time Oscar and BAFTA winner, a three-time Golden Globe and National Board of Film Critics winner, and a Berlin Film Festival prize winner. His acting career lasted over 40 years. In 1991, he married artist Betsy Arakawa; the couple had no children together.



Speaking on stage at the 67th annual Academy Awards, Morgan Freeman paid tribute to his late friend: "This week, our community lost a giant. And I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman. Like everyone who ever shared the stage with him, I learned that he was a magnificent artist and a man whose gift elevated everyone's work."