New details surrounding Betsy Arakawa’s death have been revealed by her final autopsy results.
The 95-year-old French Connection actor and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the end of February.
The usual way they were discovered 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.
It has now emerged that Arakawa had fluid in her chest, and the vessels supplying blood to her heart and body had mild hardening, as confirmed in an autopsy seen by AP as reported by Fox.
She died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which was transmitted by rodents living around their home.
It was confirmed that she tested negative for COVID-19 and the flu. She also had normal carbon monoxide levels and tested positive for caffeine but negative for alcohol and intoxicating drugs.
This comes just a couple of days after the release of Hackman’s final autopsy.
Fox reported that the final autopsy from the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, has revealed he had 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’.
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.’
The full timeline of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's deaths
Police say Hackman likely died on February 18, almost a week after his wife Arakawa is thought to have died on February 11.
On February 9 Arakawa took the dog, who was found deceased in the crate, to the vets for a procedure.
On February 11 Arakawa sent her last email, to her massage therapist at around 11am. In the afternoon, she took a trip to a farmer’s market, CVS pharmacy and a pet food shop.
Her car was used to access the gated community after 5pm. She did not have any ongoing communication or activity in the local area after February 11.
On February 12, Arakawa made multiple calls to a health clinic for medical treatment, which she was not able to receive. She also googled health care providers – having previously searched for causes of symptoms she was experiencing.
Gene Hackman’s pacemaker detected cardiac activity on February 17, and an abnormal rhythm on February 18, when activity stopped.
Their bodies were discovered on February 26, 15 days after Arakawa was thought to have died, and eight days after Hackman’s pacemaker recorded its last heartbeat.
Two weeks ago, the couple was laid to rest in a private funeral with friends and family invited to the event.
Hackman’s three children, Christopher, 65, Elizabeth, 62, and Leslie, 58, from his first marriage to Faye Maltese were all in attendance.
In March, 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.
Although his children were not included, TMZ reported that Hackman’s children will ‘presumably get his share’ as they are his direct living heirs.
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