Gene Hackman’s final autopsy has revealed the Oscar-winning actor’s extensive medical history, two months after he and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their New Mexico home.
The Hollywood star, 95, and classical pianist, 65, were discovered dead at their New Mexico home on February 26, with carbon monoxide poisoning initially being considered as one of their three dogs was also found dead.
It later emerged that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare rodent-born disease, on February 12.
The legendary actor had a “history of congestive heart failure” and “severe chronic hypertensive changes” affecting his kidneys, according to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, as reported by Fox News.
The report also confirmed Hackman had a “bi-ventricular pacemaker” fitted in 2019 and showed “neurodegenerative features consistent with Alzheimer's Disease.”
The autopsy further detailed “severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease,” with evidence of coronary artery stents, a bypass graft, and a previous aortic valve replacement.
It also noted “remote myocardial infarctions”- large, old heart attacks - in his heart muscle. A microscopic examination of his brain confirmed "advanced stage Alzheimer’s disease."
However, Hackman tested negative for Hantavirus, the rare, rodent-borne virus that caused Arakawa’s death.
A report obtained by DailyMail.com showed that in her final days, Arakawa had been searching online for illnesses with flu- and Covid-like symptoms.
The medical examiner also confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning was ruled out.
At the time of his death, Hackman had trace amounts of acetone in his system, which can be linked to “diabetic- and fasting-induced ketoacidosis,” a condition sometimes triggered by starvation or poorly managed diabetes.
Given Hackman’s advanced Alzheimer’s, investigators believe he may not have realized his wife had died.
He is thought to have lived alone in the home for nearly a week before passing away around February 18 from severe heart disease, with Alzheimer's and kidney disease listed as contributing factors.
Following the discovery of their bodies, the New Mexico Department of Public Health conducted a full health inspection of the property.
Officials found dead rodents and nests across eight detached outbuildings on the grounds, describing the home as a “breeding ground” for hantavirus.
Arakawa’s devastating final Amazon order and Google searches before their deaths were recently revealed.
She ordered oxygen canisters from Amazon on February 11 - just one day before she died. They are intended for “respiratory support”, indicating that she or Hackman had been struggling to breathe.
Her internet searches also showed she was growing increasingly worried about her symptoms, with police finding Google searches for Covid symptoms while searching the couple’s home.
She had specifically searched "can Covid cause dizziness?", as well as "Flu and nosebleeds" in open bookmarks on her laptop dated February 8 and February 12.
Her final search was on the morning of February 12, hours before she died, looking for a healthcare provider in Santa Fe.
In an email to her masseuse, Arakawa had also said Hackman had woken up on February 11 with flu or cold-like symptoms but that a Covid test was negative and she would have to reschedule her appointment for the next day “out of an abundance of caution”.
