Santa Fe, N.M. – The causes of death for legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been confirmed, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding their tragic passing.
Dr. Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner for New Mexico, revealed at a press conference on Friday, March 7, that Hackman, 95, succumbed to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributing factor. Authorities believe he passed away on February 18.
Arakawa, 64, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but serious respiratory disease. Officials determined her death was natural and estimated it occurred on February 11.
The couple was found dead inside their New Mexico home on February 26, 2025, when Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check at their residence on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park. A dog was also found deceased inside the home.
Authorities initially stated that foul play was not suspected but later described the circumstances as “suspicious” after obtaining a search warrant. A preliminary investigation noted several unusual findings, including an unsecured front door, a deceased dog in a closet, a moved heater, an open pill bottle with scattered pills, and Hackman’s body being found in a separate room fully clothed with sunglasses nearby.
According to reports, Arakawa was discovered unconscious next to a space heater, showing signs of decomposition and mummification in her hands and feet.
Following the confirmation of their deaths, Hackman’s daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, and granddaughter, Annie, released a statement expressing their grief.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman, and his wife, Betsy. He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us, he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
Before the official autopsy results, Hackman’s daughter, Elizabeth, had speculated that carbon monoxide poisoning might have been a factor. However, no conclusive evidence of a gas leak has been reported.
Gene Hackman, a two-time Academy Award winner, was widely recognized for his roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven, and The Royal Tenenbaums. After decades of cinematic success, he retired from acting in 2004 and spent his later years in New Mexico.
Hackman married Arakawa, a former classical pianist, in 1991 after divorcing his first wife, Faye Maltese, with whom he shared three children. Maltese passed away in 2017.
Credit: US Weekly
