Gene Hackman appeared to be living alone at his New Mexico home for a week after wife Betsy Arakawa died.
Authorities determined that Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome—a disease spread by rodents that can cause flu-like symptoms—nearly a month ago. She was last seen alive on Feb. 11, based on surveillance footage of her running errands, per the Santa Fe Sheriff’s March 7 press conference.
Hackman, 95, had activity recorded on his pacemaker for another week until Feb. 18, when it detected an abnormal heart rhythm. Authorities believe he died around that time with his cause of death ruled as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), caused by plaque build-up in the arteries.
Alzheimer’s disease was determined to be a significant contributory factor of his passing, with his brain showing signs of the neurodegenerative disorder.
Therefore, medical investigators aren’t sure if Hackman was aware that Arakawa had died in their bathroom a week prior.
