Gene Hackman may have wondered around his home alone, confused and starving as health officials briefed he may not even have been aware of his wife’s death from a rat-borne virus
Hollywood legend Gene Hackman may have wondered his sprawling mansion alone and confused in the week after his wife died. The 95-year-old actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found at their sprawling Santa Fe home last Wednesday.
The discovery of their partially mummified remains by two maintenance workers shocked the world. The police confirmed on Friday that Hackman died from cardiovascular disease in the mansion’s mud room around February 18.
While medics estimated Betsy died from a rat-borne virus called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) in their bathroom around February 11. Officials also briefed that Hackman was battling advanced Alzheimer’s and that he tragically may not even have been aware of his wife’s death.
Week alone
The findings signify that he was alone for a week in the lead up to his death, but due to his Alzheimer’s officials are not sure whether he was aware of his wife’s death. New Mexico’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr Heather Jarrell said: “Its quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased”.
The examiner also claimed it is unclear whether he was able to survive on his own without her help, as she is “not aware of his normal daily functioning capability”.
She shared that Gene had “significant heart disease, and ultimately that’s what resulted in his death” but could tell he had not eaten anything recently, but showed no indications of dehydration.
He was discovered wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers, whilst sunglasses and a walking cane were found next to his body.
Betsy’s cause of death
The investigation also found that Betsy’s cause of death was of natural causes and by hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – a disease which is carried by infected rodents.
Dr Jarrell stated: “The cause of death for Miss Betsy Ackman, aged 65 years, is hantavirus, pulmonary syndrome. The manner of death is natural, autopsy, examination and full body post mortem, CT demonstrated no findings of trauma, internally or externally, with microscopic findings consistent with Coronavirus pulmonary syndrome, laboratory testing.”
She further clarified that neither Covid-19 nor influenza was detected in Betsy, adding: “Testing for carbon monoxide was negative. There were no other significant natural disease findings. Pills present on scene, or thyroid medication, which were being taken as prescribed and is not currently a concern for a contributory cause of death.”
Gene’s death
Dr Jarrell also explained the outcome of Gene’s death and said: “The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman 95 years is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.
Autopsy examination and a full body post mortem CT examination demonstrated no acute findings of internal or external trauma, and showed severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.”
She added more details, stating: “Examination of the brain showed advanced Alzheimer’s disease, as well as blood vessel changes in the brain secondary to chronic high blood pressure. Laboratory testing performed at scientific laboratories division was negative for COVID, 19, influenza and other common respiratory viruses. Testing for Hantavirus was negative. Testing for carbon monoxide was negative. Additionally, there were no autopsy findings concerning for Hantavirus infection.”
The couple, who had been married since 1991, were found dead at their Sante Fe home with their dog on February 26. Two other dogs were found alive at the property, one inside and one outside. A maintenance worker, who was doing pest control at the property, raised the alarm after not seeing the couple for some time, police reported.
Police probe
Hackman’s body was discovered in a mud room – a laundry room for dirty clothes – while his wife was found next to a space heater in a bathroom, detectives disclosed in the warrant. While his wife Betsy was found in a bathroom near some of her thyroid medication.
The couple’s German Shepherd dog was found deceased in a bathroom closet near to Arakawa. The dog’s autopsy results are not yet finalised, but police have confirmed they will be investigating this further also.
The case remains open as police continue to tie up loose ends as the police department are determined to answer all unanswered questions and discrepancies, including the cause of death for their pet dog.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
