Cause of death for Gene Hackman and wife revealed

SANTA FE, N.M. (TNND) — Authorities revealed what caused the mysterious deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, last month.

Dr. Heather Jarrell, who is the chief medical examiner for New Mexico at the Office of the Medical Investigator, said Hackman, 95, died of severe heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease as a "significant" contributing factor.

"He was in a poor state of health," Jarrell said Friday during a news conference.

Jarrell said Arakawa, 65, suffered from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which the medical professional described as a severe respiratory illness caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents.

Jarrell said Hackman was tested for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, with the results coming up negative.

She said both died of natural causes.

Jarrell said she performed the autopsy on Hackman Feb. 27, while a colleague performed the autopsy on Arakawa that same day.

Jarrell said Arakawa likely died on or around Feb. 11, with Hackman dying about a week later.

Hackman and his wife were found dead during a welfare check in their New Mexico home on Feb. 26.

Carbon monoxide poisoning was originally suspected, but the New Mexico Gas Company concluded its investigation, noting there were "no significant findings" of leaks.

A search warrant affidavit said the couple's deaths were "suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation."

Hackman was discovered by officials on the floor of the mud room of the house after a maintenance worker reported that the front door was open when he arrived to do routine work.

His pacemaker showed his "last event" was recorded on Feb. 17, which was nine days before the bodies were found, Mendoza told reporters at a previous news conference.

Arakawa was found lying on her side on the bathroom floor with a space heater near her body, according to the affidavit. Officials noted her body "showed obvious signs of death, body decomposition, bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet."

An orange prescription bottle was also observed on the counter with pills scattered on the countertop, the search warrant states.

One of their three dogs, a kelpie mix, was also found dead, according to reports.

Joey Padilla, a pet care specialist, told The Associated Press Bear, who is a German shepherd, and another dog named Nikita survived.

"The Santa Fe Animal Control Division worked to ensure the safety of the two surviving dogs," Mendoza said.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.