Examination Concludes into the Deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa

The Santa Fe sheriff’s office has concluded its investigation into the deaths of Oscar-winning actor gene Hackman ⁣and his wife, classical‍ pianist betsy Arakawa. The couple was discovered dead in their New Mexico home on⁢ February 26, along with one of their dogs. Hackman,​ known ⁤for his roles in films such as Superman, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Bonnie and Clyde, was 95. Arakawa was 65. Investigators steadfast that the couple had been deceased for up to two weeks before their⁤ bodies were found.

After days of speculation, authorities held a press conference on ​Friday to reveal the causes ​of ‍death. ⁤ Gene Hackman died of⁤ heart disease, ​with Alzheimer’s as​ a contributing ⁤factor. ​ Betsy Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a viral infection⁣ transmitted by rodents, several days prior. The Santa Fe sheriff’s office stated that the investigation will remain open until all details are finalized.

Discovery at the Hackman Residence

According to the search-warrant affidavit obtained by the Times,⁣ sheriff’s⁣ deputies arrived at the Hackman residence ⁣on February 26 following an emergency call from a maintenance ⁢worker. The maintenance⁣ workers ⁢ found the front door ajar. Authorities found no signs of forced entry. Arakawa was found deceased ⁣in a bathroom, lying on her side with a space heater nearby and scattered pills and an open prescription bottle on the counter.The deputy noted that the heater might‍ have fallen with her if she⁢ “abruptly fell to the ground.”

hackman’s body was discovered in the mudroom, also in a state of decomposition, with a ‌pair of sunglasses nearby. A deputy stated that it appeared he had “suddenly fallen.” The maintenance workers ⁤ reported last​ seeing the couple ‌two weeks prior.A sheriff’s spokesperson confirmed ther were no signs of gunshot wounds​ or other injuries. One of⁣ the couple’s dogs, a Kelpie mix named Zinna, was found ‌dead ⁤in a crate in the bathroom closet. Two other dogs,⁢ a ‌German shepherd named Bear and another dog named Nikita, were ⁢found alive and healthy, running around on the property. The necropsy results‌ for ​Zinna are pending, ⁤but officials suggest starvation as a possible cause of‍ death. The ⁢owner ⁣of Santa Fe Tails, caring for the surviving dogs, noted that she was “always attached to Betsy at the hip.”

Details Surrounding arakawa’s Condition

The search-warrant affidavit mentioned bloating in Arakawa’s face and ‌”mummification in both hands‌ and feet,” which has garnered critically important attention. Mummification occurs when the postmortem soft-tissue-breakdown process ceases, either artificially or naturally through freezing or dehydration in dry, hot conditions, causing the tissue to harden and desiccate. Forensic scientists suggest that mummification can indicate social isolation and can begin within days under certain conditions. The santa ​fe sheriff’s office reported that Arakawa’s last known communication was on February ‍11. ‍ Investigators say she used a fob to enter the gated community on that evening and had not been seen or heard from as. “Numerous emails were unopened on her computer on February 11.‌ There was no additional ⁢outgoing communication from ​her or known activity after February 11,” the sheriff stated on Friday.

Causes of Death Confirmed

One week after officials confirmed that Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa tested negative for carbon-monoxide ‌poisoning, their causes of death​ were determined to be heart ⁣disease and⁤ hantavirus ‌pulmonary syndrome, respectively. ⁣The chief medical examiner stated that Arakawa likely died from hantavirus, a rare but potentially fatal disease spread through exposure to infected ​rodent excrement, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. Arakawa passed away approximately a week before ⁢Hackman, who died of severe heart disease and showed signs of‌ advanced Alzheimer’s. (A⁢ spokesperson for Hackman’s family ‍previously told CNN that reports of the late actor’s Alzheimer’s were “wholly untrue.”) Investigators believe Hackman was likely “not aware” of Arakawa’s ⁣death and was “in a very poor state of health” in the days following. His pacemaker recorded its “final event” on February 18, suggesting a definitive date of death.

Medications and Further Investigation

During the ‌search of the home, investigators‍ informed the Times that they found‌ thyroid medication, Tylenol, and diltiazem, a drug used for chest pain or high blood pressure, along with medical records ‍and a 2025 ⁣planner. It remains unclear weather these medications are the ⁤same ones found scattered on the⁣ bathroom counter.

An emailed update from the Santa Fe​ sheriff’s department indicated that the New Mexico gas Co. conducted an “extensive⁣ investigation” for gas leaks and carbon monoxide,concluding that the results “are not believed to be a factor in the deaths of Gene Hackman,Betsy Arakawa or their‍ dog.” ⁢The utility ⁤tested gas lines and found no issues or signs of a gas ​leak.The results​ were shared with the Office of‍ the Medical​ Investigator.

Despite determining the causes of death, the sheriff’s office stated that the investigation will remain open ‍to resolve remaining ‍”loopholes,” including the necropsy results for Zinna and the contents‍ of Hackman and Arakawa’s cell phones. In an ⁣emailed statement, the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to the Hackman-arakawa family and ​confirmed their collaboration to ensure the safety of the couple’s two surviving dogs. “As further information ​becomes available, we will update the media,” the statement added.