Investigators Made Heartbreaking Discovery in Gene Hackman Death

Over the weekend, the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department announced its findings following an investigation into the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.

Arakawa died due to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare infectious disease that attacks the lungs and begins with flu-like symptoms, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed. They believe the disease came from deer mice and revealed it results in 1-to-7 deaths every year in New Mexico.

Officials believe she died on Feb. 11.

Hackman, meanwhile, is believed to have died a week later from hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease. Alzheimer's also played a contributing role in Hackman's passing, according to Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell. 

“Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” Jarrell said. “He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that’s what resulted in his death.”

Dr. Jarell's autopsy of Hackman revealed he suffered from "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 admitted given the severity of his Alzheimer's, Hackman may not have known his wife was dead. During her meeting with the press, Dr. Jarell admitted the heartbreaking discovery that the longtime actor didn't have any food in his stomach at the time of his death.

The actor “had not eaten recently” before passing away as there was “no food in his stomach,” Jarrell added, though she noted that his body showed no “evidence of dehydration.”

He is believed to have died on Feb. 18.

Related: Cause of Death for Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Revealed