Gene Hackman died of heart disease while wife Betsy Arakawa sadly passed due to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, but questions are still circulating regarding their pet dog’s cause of death
Gene Hackman’s dog Zinna was found dead alongside the Hollywood couple.
Investigators have revealed information which could explain how their pooch Zinna died. Gene’s cause of death was reported as hypersensitive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor during a press conference on 7 March.
According to readings on Hackman’s pacemaker, it is believed that he died around 18 February, while Betsy, who died of a severe respiratory illness transmitted through rodent excrement named hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, is believed to have died around 11 February judging by the final time she was spotted on surveillance footage.
An official cause of death for their dog Zinna has not yet been confirmed, however it has been reported that it is possible the 12-year-old died of dehydration and starvation.
New Mexico State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps told reporters: “Given the timelines presented it is a possibility.”
The couple owned two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, who both survived. ABC News reported that a doggy door meant that they were able to enter and leave the house, which meant they were likely able to access food and water outside.
In a heartbreaking revelation, officials noted that Gene’s Alzheimer’s was in an “advanced state,” meaning that it is “quite possible that he was not aware” of his surroundings. This means he may not have registered that Betsy was dead or that Zinna was in a crate.
Authorities have also said that Zinna had a medical treatment prior to Gene and Betsy’s death, although this has not been specified. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza addressed Zinna’s death at a press conference.
“We know from our investigations that on February 9 2025, [Betsy] picked up Zinna from Gruda Veterinary Hospital. There was a procedure that was done with the dog, which may explain why the dog was in a crate at the residence.”
It has been reported that it is very unlikely that Zinna died from hantvirus. Erin Phipps explained: “Dogs do not get sick from hantavirus. These viruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans.”
“Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare disease caused by hantaviruses, but a small number of human infections are found every year in New Mexico. This is a serious disease.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
