Officials have confirmed how Gene and Betsy Hackman died, following more than a week of speculation.
The bodies of the 95-year-old and his 65-year-old classical pianist partner were discovered at their home in the Santa Fe Summit community northeast of the city, in New Mexico, last Wednesday (26 February).
Speaking during a press conference today (March 7), Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell confirmed Gene’s cause of death.
She said: “The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.”
While also touching on Betsy’s death, Jarrell confirmed she died of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, adding ‘the manner of death is natural’.
It is a rare infectious disease that begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses rapidly to more severe disease. It can lead to life-threatening lung and heart problems.
Actor Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa pose for a portrait in 1986 (Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Speaking about Betsy’s death, she said: “Autopsy examination and full body post mortem CT demonstrated no findings of trauma internally or externally with microscopic findings consistent with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
“Laboratory testing was positive for Hantavirus at a clinical lab with required confirmation testing positive at scientific laboratories division, testing for COVID, 19, influenza and other common respiratory viruses was negative testing for carbon monoxide was negative.
“There were no other significant natural disease findings, pills present on scene, or thyroid medication which were being taken as prescribed and is not currently a concern for a contributory cause of death.”
A search warrant from police in Santa Fe previously revealed that Gene and Betsyand had been dead for ‘some time’ and were found in different rooms. The couple’s dog was found dead in similar circumstances, police added.
Gene grips both of his Oscars alongside Clin Eastwood (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
Tests on Gene’s pacemaker showed he was alive as of February 17 when a ‘last event’ was recorded, reports Daily Mail, which is nine days before their bodies were found.
The authorities say it is a ‘reasonable assumption’ that Gene died around that time the pacemaker recorded the event.
Gene was found in a mudroom – a room used for dirty or wet footwear and clothing – while Betsy was found dead in a bathroom, where there was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on the counter top.
Among the ‘suspicious’ circumstances at the scene of their sprawling $3.8 million home were the fact the front door was unlocked, as discovered by two maintenance workers, and two of their three of their dogs on the premises were ‘healthy’.
A bottle of opened prescription pills was also found scattered on the counter top of the bathroom near Betsy’s body while Gene was found lay by a walking stick and sunglasses.
