ACTOR Gene Hackman died of heart disease a week after his wife Betsy Arakawa died of a rare infectious disease at their home, a pathologist has said.
Dr Heather Jarrell, chief medical examiner for New Mexico, told a press conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, US, it was “reasonable to conclude” that Ms Arakawa, also known as Betsy Hackman, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome on February 11 at the couple’s home in Santa Fe.
Two-time Oscar winner Hackman, aged 95, died a week later on February 18 of “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor”, the expert said.
Tests on Gene Hackman’s pacemaker previously showed that he was alive on February 17 when a “last event” was recorded, nine days before his body was discovered with his wife’s at their home, police said.
The pair had been married since 1991.
Hollywood star Hackman received two Oscars and two Baftas in his acting career which spanned decades.
He secured the best actor Oscar in 1972 for his role as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle in The French Connection.
Hackman landed a further Academy Award in the best supporting actor category for his part in 1992 Western Unforgiven, directed by Clint Eastwood.
