{"id":4039,"date":"2025-04-28T07:30:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T07:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/?p=4039"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:21:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T10:21:54","slug":"gene-hackmans-final-autopsy-shows-devastating-medical-history-after-actors-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/gene-hackmans-final-autopsy-shows-devastating-medical-history-after-actors-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Gene Hackman\u2019s final autopsy shows devastating medical history after actor\u2019s death"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Gene Hackman’s medical history has been detailed in his final autopsy (Picture: Hector Mata\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The final autopsy of Gene Hackman<\/a> has revealed a heartbreaking medical history.<\/p>\n

The French Connection actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead at their home in Santa Fe<\/a>, New Mexico, at the end of February, which sparked a police investigation into their deaths.<\/p>\n

It was later revealed that Hackman, 95, died of heart disease<\/a> with advanced Alzheimer\u2019s disease listed \u2018as a significant contributory factor’, while the classical pianist, 65, battled hantavirus \u2013 a rare, infectious condition – before her death.<\/p>\n

Now, Fox<\/a> reports that according to the Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico, a final autopsy has revealed further health<\/a> issues.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The documents noted ‘neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer’s Disease’.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Gene\t<\/div>
The actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in February (Picture: Ron Galella\/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

‘Remote myocardial infarctions were present involving the left ventricular free wall and the septum, which were significantly large.<\/p>\n

‘Examination of the brain showed microscopic findings of advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease.’<\/p>\n

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class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\twindow.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tif (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar player = data.detail.carousel.el_;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.removeChild(placeholder);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>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’.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, TMZ <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/14\/gene-hackmans-80-000-000-fortune-sparks-mystery-children-left-will-22730412\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">obtained a copy of Hackman\u2019s will<\/a>, which appeared to show that he left his entire fortune to his partner, and made her the sole beneficiary in 1995.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"466\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_245881484-24ac.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22916946\" alt=\"FILE - Actor Gene Hackman arrives with his wife, Betsy Arakawa, for the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 19, 2003. (AP Photo\/Mark J. Terrill, File)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Their deaths have been under investigation (Picture: AP Photo\/Mark J. Terrill, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The outlet reports that his three children, Christopher, Leslie and Elizabeth \u2013 who he welcomed with ex-wife Faye Maltese \u2013 were not named in the documents, with everything going to the classical pianist.<\/p>\n<p>Arakawa\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>Although they were not included, TMZ reports that Hackman\u2019s children will \u2018presumably get his share\u2019 as they are his direct living heirs.<\/p>\n<p>Two weeks ago, the couple were<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/04\/16\/heartbreaking-details-gene-hackman-besty-arakawas-death-couples-funeral-22916721\/\"> laid to rest in a private funeral <\/a>with friends and family invited to the event.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"975\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_241655427-47ca.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22915553\" alt=\"LOS ANGELES - 1986: Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa pose for a portrait in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Donaldson Collection\/Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The couple were recently laid to rest (Picture: Donaldson Collection\/Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mourners included Hackman\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Due to his \u2018advanced\u2019 Alzheimer\u2019s, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr Heather Jarrell said it was \u2018quite possible\u2019 that Hackman was unaware that Arakawa had died for the six days he lived in the house until his own death.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_247728949-544b.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22917639\" alt=\"Image provided by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office during the course of their investigation and search of the home of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, where the two were found dead Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Mouldy fruit and vegetables were found in the kitchen (Picture: Santa Fe Police Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"733\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_247728842-7d9e-e1744801017593.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22917644\" alt=\"Image provided by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office during the course of their investigation and search of the home of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, where the two were found dead Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Their dog had been guarding Arakawa’s body (Picture: Santa Fe Police Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_247728901-5f70.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22917646\" alt=\"Image provided by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office during the course of their investigation and search of the home of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, where the two were found dead Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>One bath was unusable due to the clutter (Picture: Santa Fe Police Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Arakawa is believed to have died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on February 12, almost a week before her husband\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Mayo Clinic, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare infectious disease which can be <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/04\/15\/gene-hackmans-home-became-breeding-ground-virus-killed-actor-wife-22910430\/\">carried by different types of rodents<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Jarrell explained the rare disease shows up as flu-like symptoms, but can progress to \u2018shortness of breath, heart failure, and lung failure\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>TMZ later reported that dead rodents and their nests were found in \u2018eight detached outbuildings\u2019 on the Hackman property, making it a \u2018breeding ground\u2019 for the hantavirus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gene Hackman’s medical history has been detailed in his final autopsy (Picture: Hector Mata\/AFP via Getty Images) The final autopsy of Gene Hackman has revealed a heartbreaking medical history. The<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/gene-hackmans-final-autopsy-shows-devastating-medical-history-after-actors-death\/\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Gene Hackman\u2019s final autopsy shows devastating medical history after actor\u2019s death<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4039"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4051,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4039\/revisions\/4051"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}