The final autopsy of Gene Hackman has revealed a heartbreaking medical history.
The French Connection actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the end of February, which sparked a police investigation into their deaths.
It was later revealed that Hackman, 95, died of heart disease with advanced Alzheimer’s disease listed ‘as a significant contributory factor’, while the classical pianist, 65, battled hantavirus – a rare, infectious condition – before her death.
Now, Fox reports that according to the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, a final autopsy has revealed further health issues.
As well as a ‘history of congestive heart failure’ and ‘severe chronic hypertensive changes, kidneys’, the actor also had a ‘bi-ventricular pacemaker’ fitted in April 2019.
The documents noted ‘neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease’.
According to the outlet, the report read: ‘Autopsy showed severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with placement of coronary artery stents and a bypass graft, as well as a previous aortic valve replacement.
‘Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large.
‘Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.’
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The medical examiner noted that Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus, with carbon monoxide testing at ‘less than 5% saturation”, which is ‘in keeping with a normal range’.
It’s noted that a toxicology report found trace amounts of acetone – described by in the report as ‘a product of diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis as well as a metabolite following isopropanol ingestion’ – in his system at the time of his death.
Last month, TMZ obtained a copy of Hackman’s will, which appeared to show that he left his entire fortune to his partner, and made her the sole beneficiary in 1995.
The outlet reports that his three children, Christopher, Leslie and Elizabeth – who he welcomed with ex-wife Faye Maltese – were not named in the documents, with everything going to the classical pianist.
Arakawa’s will allegedly left most of her assets to her husband, but reportedly included a provision which stated that it would be considered a simultaneous death if they died within 90 days of each other, meaning her assets would then go to charity.
Although they were not included, TMZ reports that Hackman’s children will ‘presumably get his share’ as they are his direct living heirs.
Two weeks ago, the couple were laid to rest in a private funeral with friends and family invited to the event.
Mourners included Hackman’s three children, Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, from his first marriage to Faye Maltese, but no further details were released about the private ceremony.
The Unforgiven actor died in the mud room next to the kitchen of the couple’s home, with his glasses and walking cane on the floor beside him.
Arakawa’s body was found on the bathroom floor with a box of prescription pills for thyroids nearby, and a deceased dog in a cage beside her.
Due to his ‘advanced’ Alzheimer’s, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell said it was ‘quite possible’ that Hackman was unaware that Arakawa had died for the six days he lived in the house until his own death.
Arakawa is believed to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on February 12, almost a week before her husband’s death.
According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease which can be carried by different types of rodents.
Infection is usually caused by inhaling hantaviruses that have become airborne from rodent urine, droppings or saliva, but it is not transmitted from person to person.
Jarrell explained the rare disease shows up as flu-like symptoms, but can progress to ‘shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure’.
TMZ later reported that dead rodents and their nests were found in ‘eight detached outbuildings’ on the Hackman property, making it a ‘breeding ground’ for the hantavirus.
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