Revealed: Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Totally SEPARATE Causes of Death — After Grim 'Companion Suicide' Theory Was Dismissed
Gene Hackman's wife Betsy Arakawa died days before him.
March 7 2025, Published 4:39 p.m. ET
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa perished for separate reasons, deepening the growing mystery around their shock joint death.
RadarOnline.com can reveal Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the state of New Mexico, has concluded Hollywood icon Hackman and his wife died from two completely different things.
Hackman and Arakawa's cause of death has been revealed.
According to Jarrell, Arakawa, 65, died from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, a rare disease carried by rodents – while her famous husband succumbed due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, worsened due to his Alzheimer's.
The actor's autopsy showed no signs of internal or external trauma.
But it did note severe heart disease as well as evidence of prior heart attacks.
Arakawa is now believed to have died before Hackman.
Legendary actor Hackman died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Jarrell told reporters it is likely movie star Hackman was unaware Arakawa had passed due to his advanced Alzheimer's, and revealed she is believed to have died first on February 11.
The medical investigator also said Hackman most likely died a week later, on February 18.
Hackman and his wife were found dead – and "mummified" – in separate rooms on Wednesday, February 26, inside their mansion.
Arakawa was found decomposed with bloating on her face and mummification of her hands and feet, while her Unforgiven star husband also exhibited the same signs of rot.
Due to to the decomposed state of the couple's bodies, it took authorities on the scene 12 hours to identify them.
Many theories swirled around before the official causes of death of the pair was revealed, including "companion suicide."
Oscar winner Hackman's wife passed dude to a rare disease carried by rodents.
However, James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, shot down the theory Hackman and Arakawa may have decided to die together, explaining couples who choose dual suicide were usually found dead together in bed.
He said about the case of Hackman and his wife: "The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely."
Hackman was found lying on the ground of a mud room with his cane nearby, while Arakawa was discovered lying on her side in the bathroom with prescription pills littered nearby.
Hackman and Arakawa's 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mixed breed dog Zinna was also found dead at the scene.
Their two other dogs, Nikita and Bear, were alive and unharmed and are now at a local pet daycare.
Authorities previously believed the dog that died was Bear, before admitting their mistake.
Hackman's daughter Leslie has claimed her dad was in "good health" before his passing.
Hackman was said by his daughter Leslie to be in 'good health' before his death.
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She previously said: "Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition. He liked to do Pilates and yoga, and he was continuing to do that several times a week. So he was in good health.”
Leslie also credited her stepmom Arakawa for keeping the Hollywood star "alive" for years.
She revealed: "They had a wonderful marriage. And I give credit to his wife, Betsy, for keeping him alive. Betsy took very, very good care of him and was always looking out for his health. So, I am appreciative to her for that, and I'm very saddened by her passing."
Hackman, 95, shared Leslie, daughter Elizabeth, and son Christopher with his first wife, Faye Maltese.
Despite Leslie's comments, close family friends Daniel and Barbara Lenihan and their son, Aaron, claimed Hackman was “essentially kind of home-bound," as his health "was really slipping" before he was found dead.
