Causes of death revealed for Oscar winner Gene Hackman and his wife

New information in the investigation into the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, has been revealed.

During a news conference, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator revealed both Hackman’s and Arakawa’s causes of death.

The medical investigator said Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. According to the CDC, “People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, but this is rare.”

Hackman died of heart disease and complications caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Both Hackman and Arakawa were discovered in their New Mexico home on Feb. 26. USA Today reports that it is believed Arakawa died first on Feb. 11.

According to Hackman’s pacemaker, the investigator says the actor “probably died on Feb. 18.”

The investigator added that “Hackman likely didn’t know his wife had died, the investigator said, citing his Alzheimers disease,” USA Today reported.

One of their dogs was also discovered dead alongside their bodies.

According to the original warrant, Hackman’s and Arakawa’s deaths were labeled as “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation.”

Hackman, a two-time Oscar winner, was 95. Arakawa, a former classical pianist, was 64.

This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM.