Gene Hackman's Autopsy Results Released

Gene Hackman 1987. Photo courtesy of White House Photographic Collection. Public domain.

Gene Hackman's death was heartbreaking — but what made it stranger was the shadow of an infection he never had.

The beloved actor passed away quietly at his New Mexico home, discovered alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa. Initial speculation swirled around a possible shared cause. But while the virus that claimed Arakawa's life raised red flags, a newly released autopsy revealed Hackman never contracted it.

A Quiet End With Lingering Questions

On Feb. 26, Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, 65-year-old Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in separate areas of their Santa Fe home. It wasn't just their passing that shocked the public — it was the unsettling circumstances. Hackman was discovered near his cane in a mudroom, Arakawa in an open bathroom with a heater running. One of their dogs, heartbreakingly, was found deceased in a crate nearby.

The Oscar^® winner's death was initially labeled "suspicious," but foul play was later ruled out, as reported by USA TODAY. Still, a rare and deadly virus loomed over the investigation — hantavirus.

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The Virus in the Room

Arakawa, a concert pianist known for her quiet lifestyle and devotion to Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, confirmed through autopsy reports released in April.

This rare disease, contracted from infected rodent droppings, shocked investigators — and ignited concern that Hackman may have also been infected. However, according to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, Hackman tested negative for the virus. His death was attributed to severe atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer's as a contributing factor.

Despite the home's clean interior, an environmental assessment found rodent droppings in surrounding outbuildings. Investigators found live traps scattered throughout the property — signs that the couple may have been aware of a problem but unaware of the deadly risk.

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A Timeline of Tragedy

Investigators now believe Arakawa likely died around Feb. 11, based on phone activity and missed appointments. Hackman's final cardiac activity was recorded on Feb. 17 — suggesting he may have lived alone, unaware of her death, for nearly a week.

Compounding the tragedy, Hackman was in advanced stages of Alzheimer's. His autopsy detailed "neurodegenerative features," including extensive heart damage from past medical events, according to USA TODAY. It's unclear whether he fully understood his wife's condition or passing.

Arakawa had spent her final days searching for answers. Her internet history revealed desperate research into flu-like symptoms and breathing issues — classic signs of hantavirus. She'd even contacted a concierge medical service in Santa Fe the day before she likely died.

The Final Picture

While no gas leaks or trauma were found, the home painted a haunting picture of isolation. Bodycam footage from deputies showed a tidy house filled with art and cash — yet the couple went unnoticed for days. Only after security personnel raised concerns did authorities enter and discover the bodies.

The couple had lived a private life, and even in death, their estate fought to keep details from the public eye. A New Mexico judge ruled that investigative records could be released — but only if they didn't show the deceased.

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Not a Shared Fate

What may be most striking is what didn't happen — Hackman, though elderly and ill, did not succumb to the virus that took his wife. While they lived under the same roof and likely shared daily routines, he never contracted hantavirus. This anomaly highlights how unpredictable — and selective — the disease can be.

Gene Hackman lived 95 extraordinary years — from acclaimed performances to quiet retirement in the desert. In the end, it wasn't an outbreak or external threat that ended his story, but the wear of time and disease. His wife's death from hantavirus adds a tragic layer but also a strange clarity. Their ends were entwined only by timing, not cause.

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References: Gene Hackman's autopsy reveals no hantavirus infection, which killed wife Betsy | Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife, died from hantavirus, autopsy confirms | Gene Hackman's wife, Betsy Arakawa, researched symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome days before death, records show

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