Gene Hackman and wife died of natural causes, officials say
March 7, 2025
Hollywood actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a week after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died from a rare infection, authorities announced on Friday.
The couple were found dead in their Santa Fe home on February 26, but the cause of death had not been clear at the time.
Hackman was 95 at the time of his death while Arakawa was 65. The Santa Fe sheriff's office had already said that the actor likely died on February 17 as that was the last signal from his pacemaker was registered.
What did the authorities say about Hackman and Arakawa's deaths?
"Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Chief Medical Investigator Heather 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."
Hackman was found in the entryway to his home. The Alzheimer's is believed to have contributed to his heart problems.
Arakawa's death was linked to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease contracted from rodent droppings that can be fatal.
She was found with an open prescription bottle, with pills scattered across the bathroom counter. Authorities could not say how quickly Arakawa died after contracting the infection.
Both appeared to have suddenly fallen to the floor, with neither showing signs of blunt-force trauma.
Who were Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa?
Hackman was one of Hollywood's most prolific actors, having starred in more than 80 movies.
He was also highly celebrated for his craft, earning several Oscar nominations and winning twice. Once as best actor in 1972 for his role as detective Popeye Doyle in "The French Connection" and once in 1993 as best supporting actor for "Unforgiven."
Arakawa was a pianist, but she mostly stopped her live performances after the couple married in 1991, according to The New York Times.
The couple was very private and had been seen little in public since developing illnesses, Sheriff Adan Mendoza had previously said. This factor made the investigation more complicated.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar